Artist Accused of Trying to Bite Flight Attendants

A London-based Russian artist accused of downing prescription drugs, two or three bottles of wine and liquid soap from a London-bound jetliner's lavatory before scuffling with flight attendants will remain in jail in Maine over the weekend.

Prosecutors said Galina Rusanova punched and kicked attendants on the Chicago-based United Airlines flight. They said she snapped "like a dog" while trying to bite one.

The Telegraph described Rusanova as "a respected artist, actress and author who mixes with the rich and famous at London society and charity events." The FBI said the Russian-born London resident had gone to Los Angeles to visit a man she met over the Internet and was returning Wednesday when her flight was diverted to Bangor.

The Telegraph reported that Rusanova spent the night at Eastern Maine Medical Center for observation.

Rusanova appeared in court Friday in Bangor. She has a detention hearing Monday in U.S. District Court, where she's charged with assault and interference with a flight crew.

No one answered the phone at defense lawyer Matthew Erickson's office, according to The Associated Press.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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