Israeli flight to Bulgaria ends with arrests
Three Israeli passengers detained in Varna following on-flight mishaps; Israeli Consulate in Sofia attempts to have them released
What began as a vacation flight to Varna, Bulgaria ended with beatings and arrests. Three Israeli passengers, including a man and his son, were arrested Thursday at the Varna airport after clashing with one of the stewards.
The steward claimed that one of the passengers tried to open the plane’s emergency door. In a conversation with Ynet, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that the travelers were arrested upon their arrival in Bulgaria on Thursday.
Those arrested claim that police officers hit them as soon as they departed Bulgaria Air flight 944. Havoc was wreaked at the airport, ending with the aforementioned arrests.
Ynet was informed that during the flight, one of the female passengers was pushed by a steward and screamed at him. The upheaval began after the steward supposedly wanted to pass and the woman asked him to wait. He refused and pushed her down on the seat.
Police officers were waiting at the gate when the flight arrived and a struggle ensued between them and the lady.
The steward also pointed one of the men out and said that he was involved in the incident, blaming him for trying to open the emergency door during the flight. The man purportedly thought it was the bathroom door.
After seeing his handcuffed father, the son began asking the police questions. In response, the officers alerted additional forces who arrived on the scene and began beating the two with bats and kicking them.
The arrested men were taken to the airport detention room on Friday morning, and the Israeli Consulate in Sofia is attempting to have them released.
- Initial report received via Red Email
