A 51-year-old Israeli man has become the first to be prosecuted in Russia under a new amendment to the country's Aviation Code after he tried to open a plane door mid-flight.
The man was sentenced to six months in prison, and Russian authorities hope the harsh punishment would deter others.
The Israeli man was arrested in May upon landing at Sheremetyevo International Airport after he became disorderly on an Aeroflot flight from Tel Aviv to Moscow.
According to the verdict, the man was already drunk when boarding the flight and had additional alcoholic beverages in his bags.
He repeatedly tried to open the plane door mid-flight, ignoring instructions from flight crew to stop.
He was convicted of violent behavior, speaking loudly and cursing, threatening crewmembers and other passengers, and threatening the safety of the plane.
He was tried under the new amendment to the law, which came into effect in April. Under the amendment, violent passenfers can face $5,200-$8,600 fines; up to 480 house of community service; up to two years of rehabilitation labor; forced labor of up to five years; and prison sentences.
Before the amendment, violent passengers were given administrative punishments include a small fine and up to 15 days of arrest.