The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Uzbek, 2 Afghans arrested at airport

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Thursday, Aug 21, 2008
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Uzbek, 2 Afghans arrested at airport

Staff Reporter

The three were on their way to Paris with fake documents

The woman suspected to be involved in immigration racket
Police on the lookout for the man who arranged for her journey

BANGALORE: Three foreign nationals — a woman and two men — were arrested at the Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly using fake passports and travel documents to proceed to Paris. They were caught at the immigration counter on Tuesday night.

According to police, Feruza Salieva (33) of Uzbekistan, and Matiullah (20) and Fakim (21), both from Afghanistan, were found using passports issued by the Latvian Republic.

While Ms. Salieva was found with papers in the name of Helena Stolarvos, the men were found holding documents issued in the names of Maris Belinskin and Elzens Stolarvos.

All the three were on their way to catch the 1 a.m. Air France flight to Paris.

The three roused the suspicion of police inspector D.S. Siddegowda who detained them.

During interrogation, Ms. Salieva told the police she was a dancer and had come to New Delhi on a three-month visa on December 26. She got it extended by a month at the Mathura Foreigners Registration Office and went to Kathmandu.

She returned to New Delhi on a six-month Indian visa and earned her living dancing in hotels in the Capital and in Mumbai.

In New Delhi, she came in contact with Mohammed Ali, a man allegedly involved in illegally sending people to Paris, Europe and the U.S. She allegedly struck a deal with him to accompany illegal immigrants to the U.S. for $ 3,000 dollars a trip. She was accompanying Matiullah and Fakim who bought the fake papers from Ali.

All the three came to Bangalore on Tuesday.

The police are searching for Ali and are trying to find out from Ms. Salieva if she has made any previous trips.

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