Man arrested for assaulting flight attendant on flight from Turkey to north Cyprus

A 27-year-old Turkish man who was under the influence of alcohol was arrested on Sunday for assaulting a female flight attendant while on a flight bound for Cyprus from Turkiye.

The suspect, Engin Can Özçelik, 27, a Turkish citizen was onboard the aircraft that had departed Izmir for Ercan airport in north Cyprus at around 9:30 am on Sunday Sept. 15.

Trouble started when the man who reportedly “did not like the service” offered by the flight attendant began swearing at her, before grabbing her right hand, squeezing it, and then hitting her.

He was then arrested upon arrival at Ercan airport, where, it is reported. He continued to shout and cause a disturbance to those around him, while also “waving his arms about randomly”.

An alcohol test found his blood alcohol content level to be 277 milligrams per decilitre.

He was taken to the Lefkosa district court on Tuesday on charges of “Battery”, “Drunkenness”, “Disturbance” and “Inappropriate attitude and behavior”.

Police told the court that he has no ties to Cyprus.

The judge ordered that he be held in custody for a period not exceeding 20 days pending a trial.