KUALA LUMPUR – Two flight passengers have been arrested by French police over allegations of human trafficking, after a plane bound for Nicaragua with more than 300 Indian nationals was grounded.
Paris prosecutors said the Airbus A340 had flown in from the United Arab Emirates, landing at Vatry airport in eastern France for a stopover.
Authorities had received a tip-off that the Romanian company Legend Airlines plane contained “likely to be victims of human trafficking”, and are now conducting identity checks on the passengers and crew.
AFP had reported that a source said the passengers, including minors, might have planned to travel to Central America to enter the US or Canada illegally.
The Indian embassy in France tweeted that the French authorities had informed them of the situation.
“Embassy team has reached and obtained consular access. We are investigating the situation, also ensuring the well-being of passengers.”
Legend Air has a fleet of four aircraft and its lawyer Liliana Bakayoko said the company did not commit any offence “and is at the disposal of the French authorities”.
Border police can initially hold a foreign national for up to four days if they land in France and are prevented from travelling on to their intended destination.
French law allows for that period to be extended to eight days pending an approval from a judge, and another eight days in exceptional circumstances, up to a maximum of 26 days.
Upon conviction, human trafficking carries a sentence of up to 20 years in France. – December 23, 2023