TWENTY-FIVE Indian passengers from a plane grounded in France on suspicion of human trafficking have been released by a judge, prosecutors said Wednesday (27).
The judge ordered their release on formal grounds, considering that the head of the border police at France's main Charles De Gaulle airport "had not referred the case to him" within the timeframe stipulated by law, prosecutors said.
"They are therefore free to do as they please, even if they are in an irregular situation on French territory," the Bobigny public prosecutor's office said.
The 25, who had applied for political asylum in France, were freed on Tuesday (26).
Five of them, who were minors, were taken into care of child welfare services.
The 25 people were among 303 passengers who boarded a plane operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines in Dubai.
They had hoped to reach Nicaragua, but a refuelling stopover at Vatry airport in northeastern France on December 21 resulted in the plane being grounded for four days after an anonymous tipoff.
The charge of human trafficking was dropped after it was established the passengers had boarded the plane of their own free will.
Among those staying behind in France were two people questioned by police over suspected people trafficking.
The plane carrying the remaining 276 people landed back in India on Tuesday.
25 Indian passengers from plane held in France freed
The judge ordered their release, considering that the head of the border police at France’s main Charles De Gaulle airport “had not referred the case to him” within the timeframe stipulated by law
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)