Abdula Ganiji has been identified by police as the man who threatened to blow up the New South Wales parliment building in Sydney, Australia.
It turns out Ganiji, a former Wollongong taxi driver, was armed only with a juice container containing clear liquid, and a cigarette lighter.
The situation sparked a massive police response on Friday, including a lockdown of parliament and dozens of officers swarming the area.
Negotiators attempted to cool down Ganiji while taking his threats seriously.
Police later stormed the vehicle and dragged the 58-year-old out in handcuffs.
He appeared in court on Saturday via video conference to face several charges, including threatening sabotage and damage to property and possessing an explosive with the intent to destroy, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Magistrate Alan Moore requested a full psychiatric assessment after Ganiji’s lawyer asked for bail.
“I appreciate the time of year it is, I appreciate the allegations and I hear what you say in terms of volume,” said Moore.
“I think I would be sympathetic to any application you make if I had some kind of psychiatric assessment.”
Ganiji had seen a psychiatrist previously for many years.
Bail was ultimately refused.
The next hearing will be on January 6.
