Woman 'told to prove she was lactating' at German airport
Gayathiri Bose from Singapore says she was humiliated after travelling alone with a breast pump
A woman says she was "humiliated" at Frankfurt airport after police allegedly forced her to prove she was lactating by asking her to squeeze her breast.
Gayathiri Bose, from Singapore, told the BBC she was exploring legal action after the "traumatising" experience.
She said she was stopped after police became suspicious because she was carrying a breast pump but travelling without a baby.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The pump was spotted in her carry-on bag when she went through the x-ray machines at security.
She said: "[They had] an incredulous tone. 'You are breastfeeding? Then where is your baby? Your baby is in Singapore?'"
When the police did not believe the item was a breast pump, Bose was led by a female officer into a separate room for further questioning.
"[The officer] asked me to open up my blouse and show her my breast. She then asked how come I didn't have anything attached to my breast if I was lactating and expressing breast milk," she said.
"I said, 'There is no such thing that is [permanently] attached; we usually place the pump to our nipple and the machine does the job.'
"She wanted me to show her by hand-expressing a little."
Bose said she complied and squeezed her breast. She added: "I was just in shock. I was going through the motions. I was all by myself as well and wasn't sure what would happen to me if they decided to make trouble for me.
"It was only when I came out of the room that I began to slowly understand what had just happened. I just started to cry. I was terribly upset."
The German federal police unit at Frankfurt airport did not provide a comment to the BBC on Bose's allegations, but a spokesman said: "If a suspected explosive is detected at an air safety control point, the baggage and the person must be searched.
"The measures you have described for a breastfeeding mother are clearly not included."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Diamonds could be a brilliant climate solution
Under the radar A girl and the climate's best friend
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: November 12, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: November 12, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published