Supermodel and actress Abeer Rizvi, one of the two wives of Salman Iftikhar, has sparked outrage by appearing to defend her husband after he was jailed for threatening to gang rape a Virgin Atlantic air hostess. Iftikhar, 37, was sentenced to 15 months at Isleworth Crown Court after admitting charges including making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment.
Footage from the February 7, 2023 flight from London Heathrow to Lahore showed Iftikhar threatening crew member Angie Walsh, promising she would be attacked in her hotel after landing. He also threatened to blow up the crew's hotel. The court heard he drank champagne at the bar before becoming aggressive, calling staff a 'b***h' and a 'racist f***ing b***h'.
Rizvi, who has over 500,000 Instagram followers, posted: 'Mental health is not a joke. Behind every story there is pain you don’t see. Before judging, try understanding. Be kind. Be human.' The post was seen as a defence of Iftikhar, who lives in the UK with his other wife, Erum Salman, and their three children.
Iftikhar's family, including his wife and children, witnessed the incident. The prosecutor said his wife was 'ashamed' and the children looked on in horror. The judge noted Iftikhar's 'lengthy and appalling' criminal record, including six previous convictions.
Despite a lavish lifestyle with a £2 million home and luxury cars, Iftikhar's business dealings were troubled. A failed aviation recruitment venture left him owing over £11 million to HMRC and nearly £7 million to HSBC. Neighbours described him as 'very flash' and a 'poser' with his cars.
