Lawyers for Romania-based Legend Airlines say the airline did nothing wrong after French authorities grounded a Nicaragua-bound plane carrying more than 300 Indian passengers on Thursday on suspicion of “human trafficking.” He said he believed he had not done so and committed no violation. Authorities on Friday also questioned two men who were among the passengers on the Airbus A340 after it arrived from the United Arab Emirates and landed at Vatry airport in eastern France for a technical stop. .
Liliana Bakayoko, the airline’s lawyer, told AFP that Legend denied any wrongdoing and said the matter was “left to the discretion of the French authorities.” However, she added that the airline would take legal action if prosecutors filed charges.
However, Legend Airlines did not officially respond to requests for comment. Bakayoko said an anonymous customer was chartering the plane and was responsible for checking each passenger’s ID. She said customers provided passenger information to the airline 48 hours before the flight.
Vatry Airport, located 150 kilometers east of Paris, is primarily served by low-cost airlines.
The northeastern prefecture of Marne announced that an A340 operated by Legend Airlines “remained parked on the tarmac at Vatry Airport even after landing.” According to the Flightradar website, Legend Airlines has a small fleet of four aircraft.
The report, citing information from the Paris public prosecutor’s office, said French authorities had received information that the plane was carrying passengers who were “likely to be victims of human trafficking.”
Prosecutors said, “The identities of the 303 passengers and flight attendants are being confirmed.” They also confirmed the passenger’s transportation status and purpose of travel.
In a statement on social media X (formerly Twitter), the Indian embassy in France said it had been informed of the situation by authorities in Paris. “The embassy team has arrived at the consulate and gained access. We are investigating the situation and also ensuring the health of the passengers.”
AFP news agency reported that some of the passengers were minors.
French border police can initially detain foreigners for up to four days if they land in France and are prevented from traveling to their destination. Under French law, that period can be extended by eight days if approved by a judge, and by a further eight days in exceptional cases, up to a maximum of 26 days.
In France, human trafficking can be punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
(Information provided by AFP, AP)
