National Carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) has protested the arrest and detention of two of its employees by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC’s) Military Intelligence Unit for allegations of transporting cargo without customs documentation.
In a statement, the airline’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka confirmed that the two were detained by Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP) on Friday 19th April 2024, their phones were seized and access to them was denied.
“On April 23rd 2024, the Kenyan embassy officials and a few KQ staff were allowed to visit them but only for a few minutes. The reason for their arrest was alleged to be missing custom documentation on valuable cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight on April 12th, 2024,” said KQ’s Group MD and CEO Allan Kilavuka.
Kilavuka further noted that the pride of Africa did not accept the said cargo as its documentation was incomplete and filed an application at the military court for the two to be released unconditionally on April 24th, 2024.
“The court heard the matter on April 25th, 2024, and granted KQ’s request that the two staff members be released to allow due process. Despite the court orders, the military intelligence unit is still holding them incommunicado, yet these are civilians being held in a military intelligence facility,” added Kilavuka.
According to Kilavuka, the cargo was not in possession of KQ as it was not on the air side for transportation and it was waiting for the logistic handler to complete documentation before handing it to KQ.
“This cargo was still in the baggage section undergoing clearance when the security team arrived and alleged that KQ was transporting cargo without customs clearance,” he stated.
“All efforts to explain to the military officers that KQ had not accepted the cargo because of incomplete documentation proved futile. The military officers took the two employees to the military side of the air wing (DEMIAP)to record statements. They were held incommunicado until 23RD April, when the Embassy officials and KQ team were allowed to visit them.”
KQ maintains that it adheres to international best practices in handling and transporting cargo as it has stringent processes and compliance checks to ensure it ferries cargos that meet all the statutory requirements.
“We are perturbed by this action targeting innocent staff and consider it harassment targeting Kenya Airways’ business. KQ continues to cooperate with the investigating agencies and is working with the relevant Government entities in both DRC and Kenya to ensure this matter is resolved.“
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