Argentine Court orders release of detained Venezuelan plane crew members 

Argentina’s Federal Court of Appeals, La Plata in the province of Buenos Aires has allowed 12 of the 19 crew members of a Venezuelan plane detained in June to leave Argentina.

Reports say the court authorized the 12 crew members’ departure and ordered a judge to resolve the investigation into the crew within 10 days.

The Emtrasur cargo plane was sold to Venezuela by Iran’s Mahan Air a year ago, according to the Iranian airline.

The plane arrived in Buenos Aires in early June, according to flight tracking data, with both Venezuelan and Iranian crew members.

Argentine authorities detained the plane due to suspicions it had terrorism ties and its declared reason for entering the country.

Also Read: Terrorism: Argentina orders seizure of Venezuelan plane

Its arrival caused a diplomatic issue for Argentina, which the United States accused of supporting U.S.-sanctioned countries; Iran and Venezuela

A U.S. court asked Argentina to seize the aircraft in August, which it did the following week. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said the court order was intended to “steal” the plane.

The plane’s seizure generated outrage in Caracas by supporters of the ruling party, who marched to demand its release.

Iran and Venezuela maintain close ties and signed a 20-year cooperation plan in June.

Center-left Argentine President Alberto Fernandez has criticized U.S. sanctions on Caracas.

Zainab Sa’id