MOSCOW, December 9 (RAPSI) – The jury found Sergei Kabalov, Russian businessman accused of attempting to hijack a plane while drunk, guilty on Monday during the hearing in Moscow Region Court.
Kabalov, a 54-year-old businessman from Saratov, started to behave violently when drunk on board a Kogalymavia airliner bound for Egypt on January 11, and tried to break into the cockpit. A criminal case was launched against him for attempted hijacking and assault. Kabalov faces 12 years in prison.
A YouTube video made by another passenger shows Kabalov punching one male passenger on the nose and striking a flight attendant. He also yelled he was part of Russia’s intelligence services and threatened he “could kill anyone with two fingers.”
Kabalov’s case is one in a string of recent brawls caused by Russian airline passengers, prompting calls from politicians for a crackdown on on-board drinking.