276 Indians stuck in a French airport for days for a human trafficking probe have left for India

On Monday, a charter aircraft detained in France as part of a human trafficking investigation took off for India, carrying 276 Indian nationals. Initially en route to Nicaragua, these passengers experienced a prolonged delay, spending four days confined at a rural French airport during a holiday season, in what turned into an extraordinary situation.

Journalists from Big Big News witnessed the departure of the unmarked Legend Airlines A340 from Vatry Airport, located in France’s Champagne region. The aircraft’s crew and passengers were seen boarding before takeoff.

According to regional authorities, 276 out of the initial 303 passengers were on their way to Mumbai. Meanwhile, 25 passengers sought asylum in France. Those who did not board the flight to Mumbai were moved to a designated asylum-seeker area at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport. Among those stranded at the French airport were a toddler aged 21 months and several minors traveling without guardians.

Two other passengers, initially apprehended as part of the human trafficking inquiry, were released on Monday following a court appearance. The Paris prosecutor’s office stated that they were designated as “assisted witnesses” in the case. This French legal status permits additional investigation time and could eventually lead to either charges or the dismissal of the case.

The aircraft, originally flying from Fujairah Airport in the United Arab Emirates to Managua, Nicaragua, landed at Vatry for refueling on Thursday. However, it was grounded by the police following an anonymous tip suggesting the plane might be transporting victims of human trafficking.

While prosecutors refrained from commenting on the possibility of the U.S. being the passengers’ ultimate destination, the U.S. has reported an increase in Indian nationals crossing the Mexico-U.S. border this year.

French officials are examining the initial purpose of the flight and have launched a judicial investigation into the involvement of an organized criminal group in aiding illegal entry or stay in a country. As of Monday, the prosecutor’s office had not confirmed whether human trafficking, as defined by the U.N., remained a suspicion in this case.

At the Vatry airport, requisitioned by the police for several days, local authorities, medical personnel, and volunteers provided essential services such as beds, meals, and showers for the detained individuals. The airport also temporarily transformed into a makeshift courtroom on Sunday, where judges, lawyers, and interpreters conducted emergency hearings to decide subsequent actions.

Some attorneys criticized the handling of the situation by authorities during Sunday’s hearings, suggesting an overreaction to the anonymous tip. The Indian Embassy expressed gratitude on X (formerly Twitter) to the French officials for facilitating the return of the Indian citizens. French authorities spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning completing formalities to enable the passengers’ departure, as informed by regional prosecutor Annick Browne to The Big Big News.

In France, foreigners can be detained for up to four days in a transit zone for police investigations, after which a special judge may extend this period to eight days.

Liliana Bakayoko, the lawyer for Legend Airlines, mentioned that some passengers were reluctant to return to India as they had paid for a tourist trip to Nicaragua. The airline has denied any involvement in potential human trafficking activities.

The U.S. has identified Nicaragua as one of several countries not meeting the minimum standards for combating human trafficking. Nicaragua is also known for its relaxed entry requirements, making it a transit point for individuals escaping poverty or conflict. Charter flights are often employed for these journeys.

The report includes contributions from Charlton in Paris and Big Big News writer Boubkar Benzebat from Vatry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Human Trafficking Probe

More about Human Trafficking Probe

• Human Trafficking Definitions by the United Nations
• French Legal Procedures for Detainment
• India-Nicaragua Flight Path and Regulations
• Legend Airlines Official Statement on Incident
• U.S. Government’s Stance on Nicaragua and Human Trafficking
• French Prosecutor’s Office and Judicial Inquiry Practices
• Indian Nationals and U.S. Border Crossing Trends
• Legal Status of Asylum Seekers in France
• International Air Travel Regulations and Rights
• Role of Embassies in International Incidents