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Plane held in Paris airport on suspicion of human trafficking leaves for Mumbai – JURIST

A statement issued Monday by the Préfet de la Marne confirmed that an aircraft grounded at Vatry airport in Paris has left to Mumbai. The plane had been held during a refuelling stopover at the french airport due to suspicions of human trafficking.Authorities were alerted on December 21 via an anonymous tip that the flight, run by Romanian company Legend Airlines, was allegedly being used for human trafficking, transporting people from the UAE to Nicaragua. The landing in Paris had been a brief technical stop, but the authorities held the plane and its 303 passengers for four days while they investigated the claims. Upon landing, 25 people, including five minors, claimed asylum in France. Two were detained on suspicion of human trafficking.French authorities can hold foreigners in a transit zone for a maximum of four days for police investigations. This can be extended to eight days but a judge must decide whether to extend the detention. According to sources speaking to Le Monde, the case for human trafficking was abandoned due to the fact that people had voluntarily boarded the plane. The two people who had been detained were release,  and those seeking asylum are being processed as part of the asylum procedure at the border. The plane was released on Sunday morning and returned to India on Monday.Indian and French authorities collaborated closely throughout the investigation and the Indian Embassy in France wrote on X that they thanked the French government and “Vatry Airport for quick resolution of the situation enabling Indian passengers to return home & hospitality. Also for working closely with embassy team, present throughout at the site to ensure welfare and smooth & safe return.”