A 51-year-old man who used obscene language and tried to rip off the shoulder straps from a police officer was removed from an airplane taking off on a flight from St. Petersburg to Astana at Pulkovo airport, said Interior Ministry spokesman Irina Volk.

When transporting a rowdy to the duty unit, he waved his arms and wanted to tear off the epaulettes on the uniform of the policeman. At this point, the perpetrator was taken into custody, he refused to undergo a medical check.

Before take-off, the passenger began to behave aggressively, refused to sit down in his place, rude to crew members and prevented his fellow travelers.

A case of an administrative offense under the articles "Petty hooliganism" and "Appearance in public places in a state of intoxication" has been opened at the airborne field.