Air passenger 'invokes Sharia law' to avoid sitting next to a woman - before slapping stewardess who confronted him on flight from Turkey

By SABRINA PENTY, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:19, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 11:21, 17 July 2026 A passenger on a Germany-bound flight allegedly invoked Sharia Law to avoid sitting next to a woman, before slapping an air stewardess who confronted him.  The incident unfolded on a Turkish Airlines flight from Turkey to Dusseldorf on June 1 and a police investigation is ongoing, German newspaper Bild reports.  According to police, the suspect, a 29-year-old German national with a Turkish background, refused to sit next to a woman, citing Sharia Law - the religious and moral code of Islam.  When an aircraft employee tried to speak to the man, he then slapped the air stewardess in the face, it is claimed.  German police were called to the aircraft after it landed at Düsseldorf Airport.  The incident is now being investigated by the city's federal police.  The suspect has confessed to the crime, Bild reports.  Sharia Law is the foundational system of religious and moral law in Islam, acting as a comprehensive guide for all aspects of a Muslim's daily life. The Daily Mail has approached Turkish Airlines for comment.   The incident comes as a Delta plane was diverted after an unruly passenger caused a disturbance when he allegedly slapped a flight attendant over a dispute about drink service. A passenger on a Turkish Airlines flight allegedly invoked Sharia Law to avoid sitting next to a woman, before slapping an air stewardess Cody James Maluck, 32, was arrested on May 9 after a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles was diverted to Georgia due to a possible assault, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court. An air stewardess identified in court documents as PLL, told officers with the Atlanta Police Department at the gate that the inappropriate behavior began after she passed the passenger while handing out beverages. She said she thought Maluck was asleep, so she passed by his seat. He then allegedly slapped her behind with such force that her body was thrust forward, according to the complaint. PLL quickly turned around in shock. Maluck then allegedly raised his hands and mockingly said, 'I didn't do anything.' The lead flight attendant informed the pilot, who decided to divert the plane and notify the police. Maluck told police that he was wearing headphones and did not hear PLL ask him what he wanted to drink. He allegedly admitted to touching the flight attendant but denied slapping her with force. Maluck claimed that he did not mean to disrespect the attendant, but just wanted to get her attention. Federal air marshals alongside Atlanta police then arrested Maluck, and he was sent to the Atlanta City Detention Center. He was federally charged with interfering with flight crew members and staff by assaulting and intimidating them before a grand jury on June 3. The charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to $25,000.