A 61-year-old Belarusian national appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday charged with indecent assault following an incident onboard a flight to South Australia on Sunday.
The man was travelling on a flight from Malaysia to Adelaide when Police say he allegedly indecently assaulted a fellow passenger.
The passenger alerted airline staff to the alleged incident and AFP officers attended on the plane’s arrival at Adelaide Airport on Sunday. Tthe man was subsequently charged with one count of an act of indecency without consent.
AFP Acting Superintendent Paul Everingham said all travellers had the right to feel safe and should not be subjected to offensive behaviour.
“When travelling through the airport and when on a plane, people are bound by Australian law and where there is evidence that someone has committed a criminal offence, the AFP will take action,” he said.
“The AFP is committed to supporting airport staff and aviation partners and will continue to protect law-abiding Australians while maintaining zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior.”
He was granted bail during a court hearing yesterday and is due to re-appear in court on 6 March, 2023.
If you require a police presence at an airport, or wish to report an incident or provide information, please call the AFP’s Airport Watch on 131 AFP (131 237).
