Ever since the release of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, the Vijay Varma starrer has been a topic of discussion. Apart from the controversies surrounding the series, we have also seen new aspects related to the 1999 hijack emerge as the incident continues to generate curiosity among people. After the story of the daughter of a real-life survivor couple aspiring to become a pilot, a sensational detail related to the actual hijacking has resurfaced on the internet. Did you know that a Swiss businessman, who controlled 90% of the world’s currency-printing business, was on board that plane?
According to an old report by Time, Roberto Giori, who was returning from Kathmandu after a holiday with his partner Cristina Calabresi, boarded Flight 814 bound for Delhi. Giori, believed to be one of the richest men in Switzerland at the time, had both Swiss and Italian citizenship. None of the passengers, including the hijackers, had any idea that this high-profile passenger was on the same flight.
Giori owned the Lausanne-based company De la Rue Giori, which he inherited from his father. Reportedly, he controlled 90% of the world’s currency-printing business at the time. The wealthy Swiss man, who was traveling in business class, was moved to economy class along with his co-passengers.
Giori’s presence on the Kathmandu-Delhi flight put international pressure on India during the negotiations. According to the report, when the plane landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Switzerland sent a special envoy to the airport to secure the release of Giori, his companion and two other Swiss citizens from the hijackers.
According to the report, Roberto Giori was released and flown to New Delhi. After his arrival, Giori shared his experiences from the hijacked plane. The businessman said that the hijackers fought till the end and were “well-trained and highly motivated”.
The report further added that the Swiss businessman also highlighted that if India had not released terrorist leader Maulana Masood Azhar, the hijackers would have forced the plane to take off and crashed it into the hills.
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack also starred Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Pahwa and Patralekhaa in pivotal roles.
Also read: IC 814- Kandahar hijacking: Real-life survivor couple’s daughter set to become a pilot; ‘I wanted to know how to handle…’
