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A woman accused of attempting to hijack a flight from Blenheim to Christchurch now faces a host of new charges.
Asha Ali Abdille, 33, a Somali woman, was originally charged with hijacking, wounding and intent to injure after the dramatic mid-air incident in which two pilots and a passenger were slashed by a knife on February 8.
Abdille had been held in the custody of mental health authorities, and when she reappeared in the Christchurch District Court today she faced 15 charges that included threatening to kill or cause grievous bodily harm, disorderly behaviour, possession of a weapon, resisting police, hindering police and taking a dangerous weapon onto an aircraft.
A psychiatric assessment of her has been completed and she will remain in custody without entering a plea until reappearing in court next month.
Defence counsel Gerald Lascelles sought a two-week remand to March 7 for a report under the Act to be prepared.
"It looks like we are in for the long haul. Inquiries will need to be made overseas and further reports sought," he told Judge John Strettell, who granted the remand.
Abdille, a vineyard worker, who appeared in court with her head covered by a scarf , has entered no pleas.
- with NZPA
