IC-814 The Kandahar hijacking
A series has arrived on Netflix. The name is IC-814 The Kandahar Hijacking. People’s opinion about this series is divided into two groups. Some support it, while others feel that all the facts shown in it are not correct. Now, how much truth is there in this argument? Today we are not going to talk about this. Rather, today we are going to tell you the story related to this kidnapping, for which the Swiss government had to send an intelligence team to Kandahar. Without informing India about it. That too to save a businessman. Here the question arises as to who was this businessman that the government was forced to think about. So let’s turn the page of history…
Who was that person?
During the hijacking in Kandahar, a high-profile person was present on the plane whose name has not been publicly revealed to date. That person was none other than Roberto Giori, the owner of De La Rue, the world’s largest banknote printing company. This company used to print banknotes from more than 70 countries at that time.
Roberto Giori, a well-known Swiss-Italian businessman at the time, was returning from a holiday in Kathmandu with his partner Christina Calabrese on Flight 814. Their presence on that flight increased international pressure on India to release the passengers. Calls were made to India from many European countries, asking for guarantees for Giori’s safety. Several heads of state were also involved, as his company De La Rue was known for printing not only banknotes but also passports, stamp paper and securities.
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Coins that circulated in the world at that time.
Roberto Giori was at that time the owner of the British company De La Rue, which controlled 90% of the global currency printing business. The printing facility of this company was the largest in the world and the currencies of many African and Asian countries were printed from here. India also used to print banknotes for this company at that time, although this contract ended after 2016. Now the banknotes are printed only in India.
Giori was willing to give 200 million dollars
The kidnappers had demanded $200 million from the Indian government. According to media reports, there came a time when it was claimed that Giori could have easily handed over a cheque for such a huge amount. And he was ready too. Although he never confirmed this. Due to his wealth and prestige, his presence during the kidnapping put additional pressure on the Indian government. Switzerland had reportedly sent a secret intelligence team to Kandahar to secure Giori’s release. The government was trying to somehow free Roberto Giori by talking to the kidnappers. However, it was not successful in this. Later, when the Indian Government came forward, they were able to be rescued safely.
