Bomb threat passenger had left psychiatric care

The passenger behind a bomb threat which forced a Malaysia Airlines flight to turn back to Melbourne has been identified as Manodh Marks, a 25-year-old Sri Lankan who was released from psychiatric care just hours before boarding.

Marks, a catering student living in Melbourne, was tackled by passengers. He claimed he had a bomb and was carrying a plastic bag containing an object which turned out to be a small Bluetooth speaker.

Marks was charged by police but declined to appear at court and was refused bail. He attempted to enter the cockpit about 10 minutes after flight MH128 departed for Kuala Lumpur.