France investigates Romanian plane carrying 303 Indian nationals for possible human trafficking
France halts Romanian plane, owned by Legend Airlines, suspected of human trafficking, en route from UAE to Nicaragua, per French officials
French officials have detained a flight carrying 303 Indian citizens, including 11 unaccompanied minors, at Vatry airport on suspicion of human trafficking, according to the Paris Prosecutors Office. The aircraft, operated by Legend Airlines, a Romanian-based company, was en route from the United Arab Emirates to Nicaragua and had landed at Vatry airport for refueling, approximately 150 kilometers east of Paris.
The plane was confiscated by French authorities on December 21 following a tip from an anonymous source. According to Liliana Bakayoko, the lawyer for Legend Airlines, the aircraft was chartered by a non-European Union company and Legend Airlines was not involved in the ticket sales for this particular flight. This information was reported to CNN affiliate BFMTV on Saturday.
Bakayoko stated that all cabin crew members were questioned and released without any charges. The company that chartered the plane had been a frequent client of Legend Airlines and had chartered multiple flights in the past. However, Legend Airlines declined to disclose the company's identity, citing ongoing investigations.
A rescue vehicle parks outside the Vatry airport in eastern France on Dec. 23.
Christophe Ena/AP
Under French law, organized human trafficking is punishable with prison terms of up to 20 years and fines of up to $3.3 million (3 million euros).
The minors on the plane have since been transferred to appropriate government agencies for care.
All adult passengers have been questioned by French authorities.
The Paris Prosecutors Office stated that two of the passengers are being questioned in police custody to determine if their involvement in the transportation differed from the others, as well as the circumstances and intent behind it. On Saturday, prosecutors extended the custody of these two individuals for an additional 48 hours. The investigation is being overseen by Frances National Jurisdiction against Organized Crime (JUNALCO), a sub-branch of the Paris Prosecutors Office.
Indias embassy in France has sent consular staff to the airport to provide support and is in contact with local authorities, it said in a statement Saturday.
