Moroccan Escapees from Palma Airport Prefer Spanish Prison to Deportation

Aged 20, 23, 24 and 31, these Moroccans have stated that they prefer "to remain in prison rather than return to Morocco". One of them suffers from albinism and claims that due to the spots on his body, he is threatened with death in his country, reports Ok Diario.

Before the judge, the four Moroccans admitted the facts. They said that on November 5, they boarded the Air Arabia Maroc plane in Casablanca with the intention of illegally joining Turkey. However, they admit not being aware of the Facebook group that published information about a plan to immigrate to Spain by air.

To read: Spanish Officials Criticize Morocco for Delays in Airport Escape Investigation

One of the four migrants confided that his intention was to go to Istanbul and live there illegally. But fearing being arrested during the incident on the plane, he preferred to flee. The others said they seized the opportunity of the emergency landing to illegally enter Europe. After leaving the airport, they managed to reach Sa Pobla, a town in Majorca with a large Maghrebi community, with the help of well-meaning people.

Their lawyers have requested their release and the withdrawal of their passports. They will have to appear in court once a week. On November 24, three other migrants were arrested by national police and Civil Guard agents in Sencelles. They were placed in pre-trial detention. In total, 19 migrants have already been apprehended out of the 25 escapees. The police are continuing their investigation to locate and arrest the remaining six escapees.