Dublin – May 17, 2024 – Hasan Alshaer, a 27-year-old man, was arrested at Dublin Airport following an alleged assault on an immigration official and the subsequent consumption of a page from his passport. The incident, wich happened at an airport checkpoint, led to his arrest on Tuesday and court appearance on Wednesday. Mr.alshaer,who has no stated address is charged with assaulting a customs official and violating the Immigration Act,raising concerns that require law experts to weigh in.
Man Arrested After Allegedly assaulting Official, Eating Passport Page at Dublin Airport
A 27-year-old Palestinian national, Hasan alshaer, faces charges after an incident at Dublin Airport where he allegedly assaulted an immigration official and then consumed a page containing his biometric data from his passport, according to court testimony.
The Incident Unfolds
The sequence of events leading to mr.Alshaer’s arrest began at an immigration checkpoint in Terminal 1. Garda Sergeant Niall Murphy detailed the allegations in court:
He tried to run away from her taking his passport with him; when she chased after him, judge, it is alleged he struck at her, causing her to fall, he tore out a page of the travel document he was carrying and then ate the page with the biometric data on it.Garda Sergeant Niall Murphy
Mr. Alshaer, who has no stated address, was apprehended at 5 p.m. Tuesday and appeared in Dublin District Court the following Wednesday.He is charged with assaulting a customs official and violating the Immigration Act by failing to produce valid identification.
Did you know? Biometric data in passports typically includes a digital photograph, fingerprints, and iris scans, all used to verify identity and prevent fraud.
Bail Objections and Passport Verification issues
The prosecution argued against granting bail, citing concerns that Mr. Alshaer posed a flight risk. Defense barrister Paddy Flynn countered that his client had sufficient funds to stay in a hotel and that authorities already possessed his Palestinian passport.
However, Sergeant Murphy argued that the passport’s integrity was compromised: the passport was “no use” because it cannot be verified properly now.
The defense further stated that Mr. Alshaer possessed a second Greek passport, a claim that the State argued only complex matters, as it raised further questions about his identity verification.
Pro Tip: Always keep a digital copy of your passport and other important travel documents in a secure, accessible location. This can expedite replacement if your physical documents are lost or stolen.
Judge’s Concerns and Potential Interpol Involvement
Judge John King expressed serious reservations about the case, stating:
There is a serious problem here. He arrives in this country, sees immigration, runs, and then tears a page out of his passport, and this page has his biometric data on it, it is alleged. That is a huge problem for him.Judge John King
While Mr. Flynn asserted that his client possessed a residential permit, Judge King suggested a fingerprint check with Interpol as a potential means of identification. However, he acknowledged that such a process could be lengthy. Sergeant Murphy confirmed that the matter would not be resolved promptly and that the State was unlikely to accept any further documentation from the accused.
Adding to the complexity, Sergeant Murphy noted that Mr. Alshaer had not presented a visa or any authorization to enter Ireland, in addition to the alleged destruction of his travel document.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Mr. Alshaer, who has not yet entered a plea, followed the proceedings through an interpreter and remained silent. He postponed his bail request and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Friday.
