French Court Orders Release of 11-Year-Old Held at Orly Airport

The child, a French national born in Senegal, was detained for five days due to a nationality certificate dispute.

The 11-year-old girl was detained at Orly Airport from October 19, after her French passport was confiscated upon arrival.
A judge ruled that the authorities had improperly denied her entry, citing her family's established French nationality.
The child was held in a small area with limited amenities and no access to outdoor air for extended hours each day.
Her lawyer described the situation as 'absurd' and successfully argued for her immediate release to join her family in Paris.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the detention of minors at French borders, with advocacy groups calling for policy changes.