An Egyptian man has been arrested and remanded in custody for five days after joking that there was a bomb in a bag at Velana International Airport (VIA).

Peter Samaan Marzouk Samaan, 38, was arrested after his sister’s bag was being screened in the airport’s departure area when he allegedly said there was a bomb inside it.

Police responded and conducted further checks of the bag, but found no bomb.

The man was arrested for making a statement at the airport that could cause public fear. Following his arrest, he apologized and said he had been joking.

He also apologized when he was produced before the Criminal Court for a remand hearing.

The court however, remanded him in custody for five days on suspicion of intimidation and providing false information.