Kochi: In a disturbing incident, an 18 month-old-baby infant escaping from Iran with his family went into a coma after a tourist picked him up upside down before banging him on the floor in Moscow airport, Times of India reported.
It happened at Russia’s Sheremetyevo International Airport that has left the 18-month-old boy sustaining serious head injuries.
The infant and his pregnant mother had just arrived in Russia while fleeing from conflict ridden Iran when Vladimir Vitkov, 31, attacked the baby when the mother was collecting pushchair for the baby nearby.
The airport video showed Vitkov standing calmly near the baby before suddenly grabbing the boy and throwing him headfirst.
Some witnesses present there rushed to save the baby while others overpowered the accused and handed over to airport police.
The boy suffered a fractured skull and sustained spinal injuries.
was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
An attempt to murder probe has been initiated against the accused.
The investigators are also probing potential motives, including racial hatred and drug influence. Traces of cannabis were found in Vitkov’s system, and additional drugs were reportedly discovered on him. Vitkov’s female companion was reportedly in shock. The accused has a daughter around the same age as the victim.
The case has triggered intense debate on airport security, mental health screening.
Tourist hits Iranian Infant
