Pakistani tourist facing three years in prison 'for sexually assaulting sleeping plane passenger'
A Pakistani tourist is facing three years in prison for allegedly sexually assaulting a sleeping plane passenger on a FlyDubai flight.
Ali Raza, 30, reportedly performed a sex act on Thai traveller Beaut Pimpaporn, 33, as she was returning home to Bangkok, Thailand from a trip to Milan, Italy.
The mother-of-one took sleeping pills while her four-year-old daughter napped on her lap during the six-hour connecting flight FZ-1583 in Dubai.
But she was horrified when she woke to allegedly find Ali squeezing her backside while touching himself on August 3. She claims her leggings were damp and there was semen on the right side of her upper right thigh.
Beaut said Ali quickly withdrew his hand, covered it with his jacket and pretended to adjust the entertainment screen in front of her seat while repeatedly glancing at her.
He allegedly denied the allegations when confronted by cabin crew, but broke down in tears as he apologised to Beaut.
Tourist police and immigration officers later dragged him off the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and hauled him to the police station.
Speaking today, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chamnanyut Konkong of the Don Mueang District Police station said investigations were ongoing as they prepared to formally detain Ali.
He said: 'This case has not been concluded yet. We still need to wait for the interview process and investigation to proceed.'
An immigration officer said Ali will 'definitely be blacklisted', adding he will be deported once his sentence in finalised.
Bravely waving her right to anonymity, Beaut said she wanted other women to know the risks of flying alone and have the courage to speak out if they are assaulted.
She said 'If you did something wrong, you must face the consequences. Three years in prison, a fine of 120,000 baht, and blacklisted by immigration, preventing you from entering Thailand again. Thank you to the inspector and tourist police for their full assistance. Don't do this to anyone else again.'
Under Section 278 of the Thai Criminal Code, indecent assault, which includes 'taking advantage of a person unable to resist' carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years, a fine of up to 200,000 baht, or both.
Beaut added that she was seeking 200,000 baht in compensation and wants the case to proceed to court.
She said: 'The case is currently at the stage of seeking compensation. Initially, I asked for 200,000 baht in compensation.
'He doesn't not have the money to pay this time. I also want the case to proceed to court.
‘He is a danger to other passengers. He should be punished to ensure he does not do it again to other women.'
FlyDubai has been contacted for a comment on the incident.
