A British tourist was removed from a flight to Bali because he had a toy bomb, Indonesian officials say.
Davide Fogli was questioned for a day by airport security officials and police.
The 48-year-old said he had bought the item, which had a timer attached to a number of sticks that resemble dynamite, at a toy shop and intended to take it to a New Year’s Eve party.
Mr Fogli said he declared the toy to officials at security in the airport and asked if he could bring it on-board the Qantas aeroplane.
After being told he could not, he left it at the security check point.
But Mr Fogli was ordered to be removed from the flight by general manager Trikora Jarjo, and questioned further.
“This was a very realistic toy and in the current climate, we wanted to know more about his plans,” said an official.
The flight bound for Doha was preparing for take-off, before it was ordered to return to the terminal so Mr Fogli and his female companion could be removed.
Yusfandri Hona, head of the Denpasar airport authority, said: “We are now on yellow alert.
“Even though it’s a toy, there’s a possibility it could be used as a threat to cause problems.
“He should never have attempted to bring the toy with him, with current heightened security measures.
“We have so far his statement that it was for personal use, but we have to confirm that, we can’t just take his word for it.”
Police went to the toy shop Mr Fogli claimed to have bought the toy bomb from, where they found other toys exactly the same.
“We have cleared the passenger of any suspicions about the intent for why he wanted the item on his flight, other than it was a toy he bought,” Mr Trikora said.
Mr Fogli will not be facing any charges.
The Indonesian island is already on high alert for possible terror attacks on western and Russian tourists during its peak season.
Security was increased after a Russian passenger plane was blown up over the Sinai desert last month.
More than 200 people were killed in 2002 after a bomb attack by Islamic extremists.
