US Stowaway Accused of Flight Breach Arrested in Canada Escape Attempt

An individual accused of stowing away on a flight from New York to Paris last month has been apprehended once more. The latest arrest occurred as the person reportedly attempted to cross from the United States into Canada via bus. Svetlana Dali reportedly undertook this escape attempt subsequent to removing an ankle monitor. This device had been mandated for her wear following the previous alleged offense, according to reports from US media outlets. A court in New York had ordered Ms. Dali to wear the monitoring device after she was accused of traveling on a Delta Airlines flight from New York’s JFK International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport without possessing a boarding pass. At a prior court hearing, she received instructions not to depart Philadelphia, with the sole exception of traveling to New York for trial-related meetings. Her arrest took place in Buffalo, New York, on Monday, and she is scheduled for a court appearance on Tuesday afternoon. Ms. Dali’s ability to board a flight without a boarding pass had previously caused widespread astonishment. A complaint lodged in a New York court claimed she utilized a designated lane for airline personnel to access the security checkpoint, despite lacking a boarding pass. She reportedly integrated herself with a substantial Air Europa flight crew and, even without a valid ticket, underwent screening by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents. The 57-year-old individual, identified as a Russian national and a US permanent resident, managed to bypass Delta Airline agents who were assisting other travelers at the boarding gate. Subsequently, Ms. Dali boarded the aircraft and was apprehended in Paris upon the flight’s arrival, after the Delta crew realized she lacked a ticket. During the flight, she reportedly moved between different lavatories and did not occupy a seat until flight attendants observed her behavior. Days following her initial arrest, the TSA informed CBS News, which is the BBC’s US news partner, stating: “This is the only reported case of unauthorised access when over 18 million passengers were screened at TSA security checkpoints during the busiest Thanksgiving travel season ever.” The agency further asserted, “No one has ever fully breached the TSA security screening process.” Following her apprehension, Ms. Dali made an unsuccessful bid to seek asylum in France, according to a source with knowledge of the situation who spoke to CBS. Earlier this month, she was transported back to New York, where authorities took her into custody and formally charged her with obtaining transportation on an aircraft without consent or permission. She made a court appearance earlier in the current month. This content is copyrighted by BBC 2024. All rights are reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available for review.