A 52-year-old Chinese national, Li Youbin, was arrested on arrival at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare for allegedly indecently assaulting a female passenger on Emirates flight EK713 from Dubai on 21 November 2025.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the incident happened around 9 AM Dubai time.
The complainant was seated by the window, and Li allegedly tried to start a conversation. When she declined, he is said to have touched her thighs and buttocks, prompting her to scream for help.
Flight attendants quickly intervened and ensured her safety until the plane landed. Upon arrival in Harare at around 5 PM, the matter was reported to the airport police, leading to Li’s arrest.
When he appeared in Harare Magistrates Court, the state opposed bail, arguing that Li was a flight risk. Investigations are expected to conclude by 1 December 2025.
The NPA reminded travellers that aircraft cabins are not law-free zones, warning that anyone, local or foreign, who commits such offences will face the full force of the law.
