DÜSSELDORF, Germany — German police arrested a 29-year-old man after a June 1 flight landed in Düsseldorf following allegations that he refused to sit next to a woman, citing Sharia law, and later assaulted a female flight attendant who intervened.
Authorities identified the suspect only as a Turkish national living in Germany. He was taken into custody after the aircraft arrived, according to German media outlet Bild.
Police said the dispute began when the passenger objected to his assigned seat because it was beside a woman.
“According to initial witness statements, the man invoked Sharia law and refused to sit next to a woman,” a police spokesperson told Bild, referring to Islam’s strict codes.
Investigators said a female flight attendant approached the passenger in an effort to resolve the disagreement. During the exchange, the man allegedly struck her in the face by either punching or slapping her.
Police said the suspect later admitted to assaulting the flight attendant after his arrest.
Officials said the man also insulted federal police officers during questioning. According to authorities, he made the remarks in Turkish without realizing that one of the interviewing officers understood the language.
Investigators said the suspect now faces allegations of assaulting the flight attendant as well as insulting police officers.
The passenger reportedly justified his refusal to sit beside a woman by referring to Sharia law. German law does not recognize Sharia as having legal authority.
Early reports identified the aircraft as a Turkish Airlines flight. The airline later disputed that claim.
A company representative said, “the incident in question did not occur on a Turkish Airlines flight and is unrelated to Turkish Airlines.”
Authorities have not released the passenger’s name, and no additional details about any court proceedings have been announced.
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