'Human right violations in Saudi', alleges Air India captain in letter to MEA

We believe your office will take swift necessary step to resolve this issue faced by pilots and crew, who are not just airline employees but citizens of this country

New Delhi: Recently, the crew members of Air India were detained in Jeddah due to a permit issue, in response to which a senior Air India captain wrote a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs requesting to take cognizance in the matter and find an amicable solution to the matter. The letter mentioned that the passports of the crew members and the pilots were detained. Reportedly the letter requested the MEA to take necessary steps so as to resolve this issue faced by pilots and crew and they are ready to cooperate with the office on the same. It mentioned that steps must be taken as they are not just airline employees but also the citizens of this country. The crew members of Air India flight from Mumbai were detained for three hours on June 26th when they landed Jeddah. Late in the evening, the Saudi police intercepted the crew members for a routine permit checking when they were returning to the hotel after the dinner. The crew members presented their valid Air India IDs and a copy of immigration to the police despite which they were taken to the police custody and were even told to not use their cell phones. Later, their phones were confiscated and the crew members were locked inside a room. However, before confiscation one of the crew members made a call to their hotel and after three hours the hotel staff came to their rescue and explained the situation to the police. The copies of permits are not valid in Jeddah because of which the crew members and the air hostess were detained. Later, the station manager of Jeddah made a call to the crew members and inquired about the entire incident. He informed that the government is throwing illegal immigrants out as the amnesty period is over in Saudi.