A 29-year-old Turkish migrant living in Germany refused to sit next to a woman on a flight because of Sharia law, then punched or slapped the female flight attendant who dared to confront him.
According to BILD, the suspect was arrested after the June 1 flight landed in Düsseldorf.
Police say witnesses told investigators the man refused to remain in his assigned seat because it was next to a woman, claiming his actions were based on Sharia law.
When a female flight attendant approached him in an effort to defuse the situation, the passenger allegedly punched or slapped her in the face, according to police.
German Federal Police took the suspect into custody immediately after the aircraft landed. Authorities say he later admitted to assaulting the flight attendant during questioning.
The incident reportedly escalated further during police questioning when the suspect allegedly insulted officers in Turkish, apparently unaware that one of the federal officers understood the language. He now faces charges related to both the alleged assault and insulting law enforcement officers.
Sharia law has zero legal standing in Germany. Yet this migrant felt entitled to impose it mid-flight and then attack a woman who wouldn’t accommodate his demands.
Initial reports incorrectly identified the aircraft as belonging to Turkish Airlines. The airline later clarified that the incident did not occur on one of its flights, according to the New York Post.