Influencer Abeer Rizvi Defends Husband With Mental Health Appeal After Rape Threat Sentence

Influencer Abeer Rizvi has publicly defended her husband, former British executive Salman Iftikhar, who was recently jailed for threatening to kill and rape a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant. Rizvi, who lives in Pakistan and has over half a million followers on Instagram and TikTok, attributed Iftikhar's behaviour to mental health struggles.

Posting on Instagram on August 7, just days after his sentencing, Rizvi urged compassion for her husband, writing, "Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story, there's pain you don't see. Before judging, try understanding. Be kind. Be human."

Iftikhar, founder of the recruitment firm Staffing Match, is married to Rizvi as well as to another woman, Erum Salman, who resides in the UK. The incident took place on February 7, 2023, aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Lahore. Travelling in first class with his three children, Iftikhar began drinking heavily, reportedly grabbing ice from the galley with his bare hands before being told to return to his seat.

According to the Mirror, he then lashed out at cabin crew member Angie Walsh, calling her "racist" and saying, "I know where you are from in Cardiff." Iftikhar also tried to attack another crew member, male attendant Tommy Merchant, before directing violent threats toward Walsh. He even identified the hotel where she would be staying in Lahore and threatened, "You will be dead. The floor of your hotel will be blown up and it will disappear. You will be dragged by your hair from your room, gang-raped, and set on fire."

Crew members managed to restrain him, and he disembarked in Pakistan without arrest. British police later detained him at his home in Iver, England, on March 16, 2024.

At Isleworth Crown Court on August 5, Iftikhar admitted to threatening to kill Walsh and racially harassing her but denied harassment toward Merchant. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Walsh told the court the incident left her traumatised and unable to work for 14 months. "I am a strong, brave, happy stewardess and loved my job. Never in my 37-year career have I been unsure of what to do. But he has taken that away from me," she said in a victim impact statement.

Virgin Atlantic expressed support for Walsh, stating, "The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority... We will not hesitate to seek prosecution for those who cause disruption on board through unacceptable behaviour."