Voice 9, National Desk: A
charter flight with 303 passengers originating from Dubai in the United Arab
Emirates was grounded at Vatry airport, located 150 km east of Paris, on
Thursday due to suspected human trafficking. The flight, headed to Mumbai, had
276 passengers on board when it took off from Dubai. According to French
authorities, 25 individuals, including two minors, expressed their intention to
seek asylum and remained on French soil. Two others, who were presented before
a judge, were released and placed under assisted witness status, as reported by
a French news channel.
"Thank the French
Government and Vatry Airport for the quick resolution of the situation,
enabling Indian passengers to return home, and for their hospitality. Also for
working closely with the embassy team, present throughout the site to ensure
welfare and a smooth and safe return. Thank agencies in India, too," the
Indian Embassy in France said in a post on X.
On Sunday, Vatry airport was
transformed into a makeshift courtroom, where four French judges interrogated
the detained passengers as part of an investigation initiated by the Paris
prosecutor's office into suspicions of human trafficking.
Reports from French media
indicated that among the passengers, some spoke Hindi while others spoke Tamil.
Following the authorization for
the plane to depart, the French judges decided to cancel the hearings of the
passengers on Sunday, citing irregularities in the procedural process.
The police lifted the custody
measures for two passengers of the flight on Monday. These individuals had been
apprehended on Friday under suspicion of being connected to a potentially
illegal immigration ring. The initial detention, which was extended on Saturday
for a period of up to 48 hours, formed part of an investigation into aiding the
illegal entry and stay of foreigners in the area. The Public Prosecutor's
Office clarified that this investigation is primarily focused on organized gang
activity related to facilitating illegal entry and stay, as well as involvement
in a criminal association. These developments emphasize the legal complexities
and serious nature of the allegations surrounding the suspected illegal immigration
activities.
