KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — The Sri Lankan man who caused a security incident on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH128 is refusing to attend court, citing safety concerns.

His lawyer, Tessa Dunsford, told the Melbourne Magistrates Court that he was afraid for his safety due to his "age and appearance,” according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The man was due to be charged today with endangering the safety of passengers and crew aboard the Melbourne-Kuala Lumpur flight last night.

He is liable for up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted under Australia’s Commonwealth Crime Aviation Act 1991.

The Melbourne court was also informed that the man was in urgent need of mental health care.

It was earlier reported that the 25-year-old man, who tried to invade the cockpit and claimed to possess an "explosive device”, was recently released from psychiatric care.

He was said to have been drunk during the incident yesterday.

The man’s claim to possess an explosive device, which was later determined to be a battery pack, triggered a security lockdown of Melbourne Airport that forced flights to be rerouted elsewhere.