A 55-year-old Malaysian man who arrived on a student visa allegedly told Crown Casino staff he was a ‘‘Pakistani terrorist’’ and threatened to kill a manager before the casino was evacuated and the Southbank area placed into lockdown on Wednesday evening.

Melbourne Magistrates Court heard Nadim Ismail was sleeping in Southern Cross Station, drinking regularly and had no money after arriving on February 5 in the hope of finding work.

Mr Ismail, who does not speak English, told his Urdu interpreter ‘‘they are all liars’’ as the court heard how he reportedly threatened Crown Casino security staff in the Lumina Bar.

Mr Ismail allegedly arrived at the bar at 11am on Wednesday. He was wearing a backpack which he repeatedly left unattended as he consumed drinks at the bar.