Can you imagine facing 15 months in prison for a drunken outburst on a flight? It’s a chilling reality for Salman Iftikhar, an executive who threatened a flight attendant while traveling with his family. Now, his wife, Abeer Rizvi, is stepping into the spotlight, defending him and bringing up an often-overlooked issue: mental health.

Rizvi, a well-known social media influencer from Pakistan, took to Instagram just days after Iftikhar was sentenced. In her heartfelt post, she emphasized the importance of understanding mental health struggles, urging her followers not to judge too quickly. “Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story, there’s pain you don’t see,” she wrote. Her message is clear: compassion is crucial in times of crisis, and we should all strive to be more empathetic.

The incident that led to Iftikhar’s sentence occurred on February 7, 2023, during a flight from London to Lahore. Reports from The New York Post reveal that Iftikhar, founder of the recruitment firm Staffing Match, became intoxicated and disruptive in front of his wife and three children. During the meal service, he allegedly drank champagne and caused chaos on the plane, even reaching over the counter to grab ice with his hands.

When flight attendants asked him to return to his seat, Iftikhar erupted, unleashing a torrent of racist and threatening remarks. His tirade escalated to chilling threats directed at lead flight attendant Angie Walsh, declaring she would be killed and even portraying horrific scenarios. The gravity of the situation caused panic among passengers and crew alike, demonstrating a complete breakdown of civility.

Despite the chaos, Iftikhar was allowed to leave the plane when it landed in Pakistan, without any police intervention. However, things took a turn when he was arrested in England in March 2024. After his arrest, his company, Staffing Match, reportedly declared bankruptcy, leaving a staggering debt of $22.8 million.

In court, Iftikhar acknowledged his threats and admitted to racial harassment but denied any physical altercation with a male flight attendant. Walsh shared her harrowing experience in a victim impact statement, revealing the deep psychological toll the incident took on her. “I am a strong, brave, happy stewardess, and loved my job,” she stated, noting that the incident forced her to take a staggering 14 months off work.

Virgin Atlantic stood firmly behind Walsh, praising her bravery in speaking out against such abusive behavior. A spokesperson for the airline reiterated their commitment to passenger and crew safety, stating, “We take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive or abusive behavior on board.”

As for Rizvi, she has yet to comment on her husband’s jail sentence, leaving many wondering about the future of their family.