British tourist charged

A British tourist charged with criminal damage and drug possession after a viral video showed him damaging check-in kiosks at the Hong Kong International Airport has been released on HK$5,000 bail.

The Departure Hall at Hong Kong International Airport. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
The Departure Hall at Hong Kong International Airport. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Youcef Bennoui, 35, appeared at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday following his arrest on Monday.

Earlier this week, viral social media footage showed a man pushing over kiosks at the airport’s departure hall and smashing them with a metal post.

Bennoui was charged with criminal damage and possession of a Part 1 poison. According to the prosecution, on Monday, he damaged 10 self-check-in kiosks at Aisle J of the airport’s departure hall, a metal display shelf, a metal stand, a glass panel, and an electric baggage tractor, local media reported.

The prosecution also alleged he was found with drugs in his possession.

According to police, officers found four Viagra pills, a prescription drug used to treat impotence, in his backpack.

A screenshot of a video showing a man smashing a self-service check-in kiosk with a metal post at the Hong Kong International Airport on February 16, 2026. Photo: Screenshot, via Threads.
A screenshot of a video showing a man smashing a self-service check-in kiosk with a metal post at the Hong Kong International Airport on February 16, 2026. Photo: Screenshot, via Threads.

Magistrate Shirley Cornelia Hung released Bennoui on HK$5,000 bail and required him to report daily to a police station and live at a fixed address.

The case has been adjourned to April 15.

Under Hong Kong law, criminal damage is punishable by up to 10 years in jail, while possession of a Part 1 poison is punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment and a HK$100,000 fine.

Jail terms handed down in a magistrate’s court, however, are capped at a maximum of two years.

Local media reported earlier this week that the man came to Hong Kong in November and was planning to buy a flight ticket to leave the city on Monday.

He reportedly was emotionally unstable when he arrived at Aisle J of Terminal 1, using his trolley to knock down railings before toppling the kiosks and damaging a glass panel.

Police officers arrested him at the bus unloading area at the airport.

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