A PLANE with 303 Indian passengers detained near Paris over suspicions of human trafficking will be free to leave on Monday (25), French judicial officials said, though its destination remains unclear.
The Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340 with its Indian passengers was held at Vatry airport, 150 kilometres (95 miles) east of Paris, when it arrived on Thursday (21) from Dubai for refuelling, after an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking.
After questioning the passengers for two days, French prosecutors on Sunday (24) gave the go-ahead for the plane to leave, and full approval for its departure is expected Monday, the local prefecture said in a statement.
Although the statement did not mention a destination, the head of the local bar association, Francois Procureur, told a press conference the passengers would be flown to India.
A source close to the inquiry said the Indians were likely workers in the United Arab Emirates who had been bound for Nicaragua as a jumping off spot for the United States or Canada.
The passengers of the flight, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, were put up at the airport during the investigation.
Beds, toilets and showers were installed, the local prefecture said, while police have prevented press and outsiders from entering the airport.
The passengers included 11 unaccompanied minors, according to Paris prosecutors.
Two passengers have been detained since Friday (22) "to verify" whether their role "may have been different than the others in this transport, and under what conditions and with what objectives".
Twelve of the passengers have requested asylum, a source close to the case said.
The Indian embassy in Paris on Saturday (23) posted on X that "embassy consular staff" were on site to working with French authorities "for the welfare" of detained passengers for an "early resolution of the situation".
The 30 crew members were not detained. Some handled the Dubai-Vatry leg and others were to take over for the flight to Managua. According to Flightradar24, Legend Airlines has just four planes.
(AFP)
Indian passengers held in France to be set free today
A Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340 was held at Vatry airport when it arrived from Dubai for refuelling
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)