Abu Dhabi - Three Australian business-men facing sex, drink and drug charges following a flight from Sydney to Abu Dhabi are due to appear in court tomorrow. The men, who were flying in the first-class compartment of an Etihad Airways flight to the UAE, were arrested on their arrival in the capital after their flight touched down on April 27.
It is alleged that the men, all aged between 25 and 35-years-old, were drinking heavily on the 14-hour flight when they sexually harassed a number of air-hostesses on the flight. One female member of the cabin crew reported to police that one of the men tried to pull down her skirt as she walked through the aisle.
It is also alleged that another of the accused dropped his own trousers in view of crew and stunned passengers while the others performed drunken antics while wearing in-flight pyjamas. Three air-hostesses reported the men to police following their lewd behaviour when the flight landed. They were subsequently arrested and transferred to the Al Wathba prison in Abu Dhabi and face charges of sexual harassment, indecent exposure and intoxication.
The men deny the charges against them with two claiming that the drugs they took before the flight left Australia were legal tranquilisers to calm their fear of flying. Two of those due to appear in court are directors of an Australian mining company. Reports in Australia said two of the men were released on bail then re-arrested after the results of a toxicology report proved positive.
A spokesman for the mining company said the trouble arose from problems with the first class cabin of the Etihad flight. He said: “The allegations against these highly respectable Australian businessmen are denied and we are confident of a speedy and amicable resolution to the issues.” A hearing in Abu Dhabi last month ruled that all three men have a case to answer and all face lengthy prison sentences if they are convicted of any of the charges against them.
Iain Burns, VP Corporate Communications, Etihad Airways, told 7DAYS: “Eithad Airways will await the decision of the Abu Dhabi court. However, we treat reported assaults on our staff and drunkenness on our aircraft extremely seriously and support any prosecution. The safety and security of our customers and staff is our number one priority and we have a zero tolerance policy towards disruptive passengers.”
According to this they don't look so innocent....
