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Monday, September 10, 2001 - Web posted at 9:33:10 am GMT

A UKRAINIAN citizen accused of launching a drunken attack on Air Namibia crew members during a flight from Frankfurt to Windhoek last week is set to appear in court today.

During the midnight hours on the flight from Frankfurt he allegedly barged into the cockpit of Air Namibia's Boeing 747-400 Combi in a drunken and aggressive state.

When two pilots on duty in the cockpit ordered him out, he allegedly responded by punching one in the head.

He was then bundled out of the cockpit, but, in the process, bumped another crew member out of the way, it is claimed.

The alleged air rage suspect, Anatoly Sokolov, on Friday faced the sobering prospect of a weekend in Police custody after he appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on three assault charges and a count of contravening the Aviation Act by interfering with aircraft crew members or making himself guilty of disorderly conduct.

Magistrate Tuyenikelao Haikango told Sokolov that he would remain in custody until his second appearance in court today, in which he is expected to be asked to plead to the charges against him.

The case was postponed on Friday so that a Russian interpreter could be found to interpret the court proceedings for the Russian-speaking Ukrainian fisherman.

Sokolov was arrested upon his arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport on Wednesday.

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