A French court has ordered the release of a Moroccan woman who was in the country illegally and had been placed in police custody for refusing deportation. She was freed at Marseille-Provence Airport, despite being scheduled to board a return flight to Morocco, according to media reports. The case dates back to August 20, when the woman arrived in France but was denied entry after Belfort authorities revoked her residence permit. She was initially due to be deported on August 22 but refused to board the plane. A second deportation order was issued for August 24, yet she again declined to comply. Detained and brought before the court, the judges issued a controversial ruling, choosing not to extend her stay in the detention center and releasing her last Sunday morning. The public prosecutor's office in Aix-en-Provence subsequently closed the case without further action or explanation.
