Overview
- A woman reported on September 22 that a seatmate allegedly touched her inappropriately and reached inside her clothes while she tried to sleep on a Los Angeles to Melbourne flight.
- Flight crew moved the passenger to a different seat and notified the Australian Federal Police, who met the aircraft on arrival to interview the man and witnesses.
- The AFP arrested Botros and charged him with one count of act of indecency without consent, an offense carrying a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
- Botros appeared via video link at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court as his lawyer withdrew an earlier bid to suppress media reporting of the case.
- He was granted bail previously and his bail was extended, with the next court date set for November 20 as authorities prepare the brief; the AFP reiterated it will act on alleged crimes on aircraft.