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Charges dropped for US influencer stranded at Antarctic military base

Charges dropped for US influencer stranded at Antarctic military base

A judge has dropped the charges against US influencer Ethan Guo who has been stranded at a remote location in Chilean territory in Antarctica since June.
Mr Guo was charged on June 29 with handing false information to ground control and landing without authorisation.
But on Monday, local time, a judge dropped the charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chile's prosecutors.
It required the Mr Guo to give a $US30,000 ($46,000) donation to a children's cancer foundation within 30 days to avoid a trial.
He must also leave the country as soon as conditions allow and is prohibited from re-entering Chilean territory for three years.
Authorities said Mr Guo landed his small plane illegally after providing false flight plan information to officials who opened an investigation.
Mr Guo made headlines last year when he began a trip in an attempt to become the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents and at the same time collect donations for research into childhood cancer.
As part of his trip, the then-19-year-old who identifies as Asian American planned to go to the Antarctic, but according to the authorities he lied to officials by providing authorities with "false flight plan data."
Prosecutors said he had been authorised to only fly over Punta Arenas, but that he kept going south, heading for Antarctica in his Cessna 182Q — a single-engine light aircraft known for its versatility.
On Monday, after the judge's ruling, Mr Guo told The Associated Press in a text message that he was "relieved by the outcome."
For the past six weeks, since being charged, he has stayed at a military base.
He was not forced to stay there, only to remain in Chilean territory, but due to the severe winter in that part of the southern hemisphere, he has been unable to leave.
He has also been unable to fly his plane.
Chilean prosecutor Cristián Crisoto told reporters on Monday that Mr Guo's plane did "not have the capabilities to make a flight," without providing details.
But the American influencer said he was talking with this lawyer to see if there was a way he could fly it.
"I remain in Antarctica awaiting approval for my departure flight," Mr Guo told AP.
"I sincerely hope they give it to me soon so that I and my plane can continue with my original mission."
The prosecutor's office said Mr Guo must also pay all costs for his "aircraft security and personal maintenance" during his stay at the military facility.
He also needs to cover all expenses for his return.
AP
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