He was 18 when he along with friends boarded an easyJet flight from London Gatwick Airport to Spain’s Menorca in July 2022.

His travel took a dramatic turn when he told a friend on Snapchat before departing, “On my way to blow up the plane (I’m a member of the Taliban).”

The security services in the United Kingdom tracked the message and flagged it to Spanish authorities who scrambled two F-18 fighter jets to follow the passenger plane until it landed.

“The intention was never to cause public distress or cause public harm,” Verma told the court during his appearance on January 22.

Verma faces the risk of paying over $120,000 if found guilty of a public disorder charge. Out of the total sum, the Spanish defence ministry demands around $103,000 for the cost of scrambling the fighter planes.

During his appearance, he told the court he assumed the jets were flanking the plane as part of a military exercise related to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Verma’s lawyer told the court it was a “bad joke,” but emphasized it was one made in private with friends.

“This boy was 18 years old and was beginning a holiday which was a reward for his school excellence. When he and his friends landed in Menorca, they realized they were in a nightmare,” his lawyer said.