New Zealand's only convicted aircraft hijacker will end her prison sentence next month but she'll stay in long-term care because of concerns about "risky behaviour".
Asha Abdille, a 42-year-old refugee from Somalia, was sentenced to nine years in prison, with a minimum period of six years, for hijacking a 19-seat aircraft on its way from Blenheim to Christchurch.
In a Parole Board decision from December, it says Abdille had been living in the long-term care facility; there was no plan for re-integration into society and there was no approved address for her to go.
Those looking after her say she needs "careful management" and staff are still concerned about "potential risky behaviour" should she be returned to the community.
"In the past Ms Abdille has said that she will attempt to hijack another plane and has threatened to set herself on fire," the decision reads.
"Taking all of that into account it is clear that risk remains undue at this time and parole was not a realistic option."
Her sentence is set to expire on February 7 - almost nine years to the day of the hijacking - and the Parole Board has set strict conditions including banning her from aircraft and from airports.
On February 8, 2008, Abdille was carrying three knives on board the Air New Zealand service where, around 10 minutes after takeoff, claimed she had two bombs.
The pilot and co-pilot both received knife wounds in a confrontation with Abdille, as she tried to get the aircraft to head to Australia.
The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Christchurch.
The Parole Board imposed some special conditions on Abdille for six months after her February release date.
It included not to travel on any aircraft or enter the grounds of any airport without prior consent, living in an approved address and not moving house without prior approval, attending all mental health appointments and taking all prescribed medication.
Through her lawyer, Abdille told the Board said she didn't want to be at the hearing.
Newshub.
