The supermodel wife of a man sentenced for threatening a flight attendant has publicly defended her husband, attributing his behavior to mental health issues. Salman Iftikhar, a former executive and founder of Staffing Match, received a 15-month prison sentence for his outburst during a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Lahore on February 7, 2023.
In a post on her Instagram Story, Abeer Rizvi emphasized the importance of understanding mental health. “Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story, there’s pain you don’t see,” she stated. Rizvi urged her followers to “be kind” and “be human” before passing judgment. She is known for her glamorous lifestyle and operates a salon in Pakistan, where she has a considerable social media presence.
During the flight, Iftikhar became intoxicated, leading to disruptive behavior that escalated into threats against flight attendant Angie Walsh. Witnesses reported that he began drinking champagne in front of his three children and later attempted to access the galley for ice, disregarding crew instructions.
Iftikhar’s tirade included racist remarks and threats of violence. According to reports from the Mirror, he shouted, “Don’t tell me what to do, you racist f–king bitch,” before making chilling threats towards Walsh, including stating her hotel room would be targeted.
Flight crew were able to calm Iftikhar and he returned to his seat without immediate police intervention upon arrival in Pakistan. However, he was arrested at his home in Iver, England, on March 16, 2024.
The incident had severe repercussions for Iftikhar’s business, with Staffing Match declaring bankruptcy after accumulating debts of $22.8 million following his arrest. While he admitted to making threats during the flight, he denied charges related to harassment towards a male flight attendant.
Walsh, who has worked with Virgin Atlantic for 37 years, testified in court about the traumatic impact of the incident on her life and career. In her victim impact statement, she expressed how the experience had shattered her confidence and left her unable to work for 14 months. “Never in my entire career have I not been sure what to do. He has taken that away from me,” she stated.
Virgin Atlantic publicly supported Walsh during the court proceedings, reaffirming their commitment to the safety of their crew and passengers. A spokesperson for the airline remarked, “We take a zero-tolerance approach to any disruptive or abusive behavior.” They praised Walsh for her bravery in addressing the court and confirmed ongoing support for her recovery.
As of now, Rizvi has not issued further comments regarding her husband’s conviction. The case has raised discussions about the responsibilities of passengers and the importance of mental health awareness in airline settings.
