The Saudi Arabian teenager who authorities say caused a disturbance, forcing a flight from Portland to return to the airport has pleaded not guilty to interfering with a plane crew.
Police say 19-year-old Yazeed Mohammed Abunayyan tried to hit passengers, lit an electronic cigarette and mentioned Osama Bin Laden during a continental airlines flight on Tuesday to Houston.
Abunayyan appeared in federal court in Portland today, his attorney said Abunayyan has “mental health issues” that need to be addressed while he is being held at the Multnomah County detention center.
The judge ordered that Abunayyan be detained as a flight risk for now and set an April 24 trial date.
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