Svetlana Dali, a U.S. permanent resident and Russian national, has captured headlines after pleading not guilty to a stowaway charge in a federal court on January 15. Her case is a peculiar blend of alleged security breaches and legal battles. Dali's actions have raised serious concerns about airport security protocols and the potential for unforeseen risks in air travel.
Dali's journey into infamy began on November 26 when she successfully boarded Delta Flight 264 from New York's JFK International Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport without a ticket. According to passenger accounts, she managed to evade detection by hiding in the aircraft's bathroom, remaining out of the crew's sight during the flight. She bypassed the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint by entering a lane designated for airline employees.
Surveillance footage at JFK Airport revealed Dali was initially turned away at a TSA security checkpoint because she lacked a boarding pass. Nonetheless, she managed to evade security measures, which ultimately led to her detainment by French authorities upon arrival in Paris. Dali was deemed ineligible to enter France and was ordered to return to the United States.
“Folks, this is the captain, we are just waiting for the police to come on board. They may be here now and they directed us to keep everyone on the airplane until we sort out the extra passenger that’s on the plane.” – The Captain
The return journey was fraught with disturbances. Scheduled to fly back on November 30, Dali was removed from a Delta flight to New York due to creating a disturbance before takeoff. Her actions sparked curiosity among passengers and led to further scrutiny of her behavior.
“I overheard the flight attendants talking about it with the pilots,” – New York City real estate broker Rob Jackson
“The first announcement to passengers that there was a problem was when we parked at the gate and they instructed us all to remain seated because French police were going to board the aircraft to deal with ‘a serious security issue,’” – New York City real estate broker Rob Jackson
Following these events, Dali's legal troubles mounted. She was charged with one count of being a stowaway on a vessel or aircraft without consent related to her escapade on the Paris-bound flight. In addition to these charges, Dali has filed two lawsuits claiming she is a victim of military-grade chemical weapons and an elaborate kidnapping plot.
Her legal difficulties escalated recently when she attempted to enter Canada unlawfully. Dali was taken into custody again, with multiple law enforcement sources confirming her apprehension. According to reports, Dali had cut off her ankle monitor on Sunday, prompting her roommate to report her missing when he discovered the monitor on the floor.
“She stated that she did not have a plane ticket and that she intentionally evaded TSA security officials and Delta employees so that she could travel without buying one,” – US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Dali now faces additional charges of bail jumping, which could result in up to five years in federal prison. She remains in FBI custody and is expected to be transferred to US Marshals in Buffalo, New York, on Tuesday.
“We do not believe she is a serious risk of flight. … It’s not as if she can sneak on a flight every day,” – Prosecutor Brooke Theodora
