National carrier Kenya Airways has protested the arrest and detention of two members of staff by the Military intelligence Unit officers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to KQ the two were arrested over alleged missing customs documents of a cargo that was to be transported by the airline. However Kenya airways has clarified the situation saying the cargo in question was not accepted by them due to incomplete documentation.
"Kenya Airways (KQ) confirms that on Friday, April 19th, 2024, two of our employees at our airport office in Kinshasa were arrested and continue to be detained by the Military Intelligence Unit known as Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP). Despite the court orders, the military intelligence unit is still holding them incommunicado, yet these are civilians being held in a military intelligence facility,” the airline said
CEO Allan Kilavuka in the statement said the cargo was still in the baggage section undergoing clearance when the security team arrived and took the two employees for questioning.
“The cargo was not on the air side for transportation and, therefore, not in the possession of KQ as the logistic handler was still completing documentation before handing it over to KQ. All our logistics partners must comply with these measures before KQ accepts any cargo,” kilavuka said
Kenyan embassy officials in DRC were allowed to briefly visit the two staffs
Kenya airways issues protest statement over detention of staff in the DRC