By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-04 02:00:48 | Updated at 2026-09-04 02:24:52
37 minutes ago
A Ryanair passenger has been charged after a woman said she was groped while unconscious during a flight.
The 22-year-old woman was flying form Malta to Nantes on July 19 when she said a 39-year-old Tunisian man allegedly sexually assaulted after she fainted.
The man was then arrested on August 31 as he arrived in Nantes Airport from Tunisia.
He has now been charged over the incident.
The woman, who was suffering from a headache, fainted shortly after take off and fell forward onto the tray table, then onto the shoulder of another passenger.
As she came to, she alleged the passenger next to her had was kissing her neck.
He hid his actions by using his scarf, the 22-year-old alleged.
He continued the alleged assault by turning the woman to the window seat and groping her breast under her t-shirt.
She was finally able to pull away as he allegedly put his hands under her shorts and toucher her underwear, she claimed.
Upon landing, the woman told her family of the alleged groping and subsequently alerted Border Police, according to French outlet Paris Match.
"A vulnerable woman is seen as prey, even on an airplane," lawyer Anne Bouillion, who is representing the woman, told Ouest-France.
The 22-year-old's clothes are now being examined by officers.
The suspect was apprehended as he disemabrked a flight from Tunisia to Nantes Atlantique Airport
WIKIMEDIA / BOUGUENAISCOM
She also underwent examination at the forensic medical unit at Nantes University Hospital.
Ryanair has now been asked to provide details over the alleged assault, according to the French outlet.
The suspect, who is said to be homeless, was added to the wanted persons database after the incident.
The suspect has admitted he was seated next to the victim but denied the allegations, according to French media reports.
He did not have a prior criminal record.
The man will now undergo psychiatric evaluation before his trial set for October 28.
GB News has approached Ryanair for comment.
