A 20-year-old U.S. man is suing United Airlines after allegedly being forcibly removed from an airplane bathroom and subsequently arrested mid-flight. According to the lawsuit, Yisroel Liebb from New Jersey was on a flight from Mexico to Texas when he used the restroom. After approximately 20 minutes, his seatmate, Jacob Sebbag, alerted the crew due to concern over Liebb’s extended absence. A flight attendant knocked on the bathroom door, and Liebb informed them he was experiencing constipation and would be out shortly.
The situation escalated when the pilot allegedly intervened, demanding Liebb exit immediately. The lawsuit claims the pilot then broke down the bathroom door, dragging Liebb out while his pants were still down, exposing him to other passengers. The pilot reportedly threatened to have both Liebb and his seatmate arrested, allegedly making an anti-Semitic remark.
Upon landing, Liebb and Sebbag were arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. The lawsuit states that Liebb was handcuffed too tightly, causing him pain, and both were taken to a detention facility before being released without charges. The incident caused them to miss their connecting flight to New York, incurring additional costs for a hotel and food.
Liebb suffered injuries to his head and legs during the removal, and both he and Sebbag allegedly experienced severe wrist pain from the handcuffs. The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial, along with attorney’s fees. United Airlines has declined to comment on the matter.
— news from NDTV