British Student on Trial in Spain Over Snapchat Joke About Blowing Up Plane

Aditya Verma could face fines up to €22,500 and additional expenses of €95,000 for causing public disorder, despite no evidence of links to terrorism.

Aditya Verma, a British university student, is facing trial in Spain over a Snapchat message he sent joking about being a member of the Taliban and blowing up a plane.
The message, sent from Gatwick Airport while Verma was en route to Menorca, Spain, in July 2022, was intercepted by UK security services and reported to Spanish authorities.
Two Spanish F-18 fighter jets were deployed to escort the plane until it landed in Menorca, where Verma was arrested and spent two days in police custody.
Verma, who was 18 at the time, was later questioned by British intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6, but no ties to jihadist radicalism were found.
Verma is not facing terrorism charges, but could be fined up to €22,500 and the Spanish defence ministry is seeking €95,000 in expenses for the response.