French customs officers stand next to a customs car with an Airbus A340 in the background that has been immobilized on the tarmac since December 21 due to suspicions of “human trafficking” at Vatry Airport on December 25, 2023. The 25 passengers of the flight stopped for suspicion of human trafficking at Vatry airport had asked for political asylum in France, and they had been released before a court decision was made. These passengers represented a small portion of the 303 passengers who had boarded a plane from Dubai to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, but were detained during a fuel stop at Vatry Airport in Marne. There were 276 Indian passengers on the plane when it finally took off for Bombay, India, after spending four days grounded. An anonymous tip suggesting human trafficking had led to a prolonged mobilization of the authorities over the Christmas weekend. A temporary holding area was even created from scratch at this small airport to confine the passengers. The charge of “organized human trafficking” was not included at this stage, as the 303 Indians had apparently boarded the plane voluntarily. The five minors among the 25 passengers have been placed in the care of the department’s child welfare services. Dispersed after being released on Tuesday, they now face possible detention if caught. A judicial source confirmed that in the event of checks on the individuals, the prefectural authority would have the option of placing them back in the holding area on the basis of these court orders.
