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UK man removed from plane after passenger ‘feels unsafe’

Published - April 07, 2016 02:40 pm IST - London

"easyJet rebooked Yemane-Tesfagiorgis on the next flight from Rome to Gatwick after the authorities confirmed they were satisfied he could travel" .

A British man was removed from a London-bound easyJet plane by police after a fellow passenger complained that she “did not feel safe” with him.

Meghary Yemane-Tesfagiorgis, was escorted off the plane, which was travelling from Fiumicino, Rome to Gatwick, London by armed police in a move that left him feeling “violated” and an act of “racial profiling”.

“I was subjected to further questioning and intimidation by the Italian authorities before being left to sit in the airport for a further 15 or so hours,” he was quoted as saying by ITV News.

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Mr. Tesfagiorgis said that the plane was waiting on the tarmac when a member of the cabin crew made an announcement.

“After a 20 minute delay the captain explained a technical fault with luggage and informed us that the flight will commence shortly,” he said of the incident that took place last week.

The cabin crew emerged and asked “Is there a passenger with the last name of Yemane-Tesfagiorgis on board?”

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“I was then asked to come to the front of the cabin where I was greeted by armed police and was asked to leave the plane by the captain, who explained that a fellow passenger has stated that she does not feel safe with me on board,” he said.

“Mr. Yemane-Tesfagiorgis was questioned by the authorities as a result of another passenger reporting concerns about his behaviour. The safety and security of its passengers and crew is our highest priority and airlines have to take any security-related concerns seriously,” easyJet said.

“easyJet rebooked Yemane-Tesfagiorgis on the next flight from Rome to Gatwick after the authorities confirmed they were satisfied he could travel,” they added.

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