Drama on flight to Zagreb — 15-year-old reports alleged sexual abuse by 61-year-old passenger
A 15-year-old travelling alone alerted crew with a message on her phone; after landing the passenger was arrested and ordered held in Remetinec.
A tense incident aboard an international flight to Zagreb ended with the arrest of a 61-year-old North Macedonian citizen on suspicion of sexual abuse of a child.
According to reports, the episode came to light after a 15-year-old girl travelling alone quietly sought help from a flight attendant and showed a message on her phone.
The text on the screen read: "I'm very scared of this man, can you somehow help me?" The crew reacted calmly to avoid alarming the passenger seated next to the teenager and the attendant told the girl she would show her where the toilet was.
Instead of taking her to the lavatory, the attendant escorted the girl to the cockpit. There the frightened teenager told the crew that the older passenger next to her had begun touching her genitals on the tarmac while pretending to help her fasten the seatbelt.
Police intervention and pre-trial detention
Pilots notified the Zagreb airport control tower, and after landing the man was met by police officers and taken for questioning. The initial conversation quickly developed into a criminal inquiry and the 61-year-old was brought before the Municipal State Attorney's Office and then before a judge in preliminary proceedings.
The court ordered pre-trial detention and the suspect was transferred to Remetinec prison. During questioning he denied the allegations, saying he had not touched the girl and had only handed her the seatbelt so she could fasten it by herself.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities praised the composure of the cabin crew and the quick action of the teenager, which led to the immediate involvement of police.
Photo: Илустрација (АИ)
