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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Chad releases seven in child case | Chad releases seven in child case |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Chad has released seven of the 17 Europeans being held over an alleged attempt to take 103 African children out of the country. | Chad has released seven of the 17 Europeans being held over an alleged attempt to take 103 African children out of the country. |
| The news came as French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Chad on a visit to discuss the case. | The news came as French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Chad on a visit to discuss the case. |
| The freed people are four Spanish air hostesses and three French journalists. | The freed people are four Spanish air hostesses and three French journalists. |
| Six of those still in custody are from French charity Zoe's Ark, which says the children are Darfuri orphans - a claim questioned by aid agencies. | Six of those still in custody are from French charity Zoe's Ark, which says the children are Darfuri orphans - a claim questioned by aid agencies. |
| Three other members of the Spanish air crew are still in custody along with a Belgian pilot. | Three other members of the Spanish air crew are still in custody along with a Belgian pilot. |
| The released Europeans will collect their belongings from the court in the capital, N'Djamena, and then go straight to the airport, said lawyer Jean-Bernard Padare. | The released Europeans will collect their belongings from the court in the capital, N'Djamena, and then go straight to the airport, said lawyer Jean-Bernard Padare. |
| They are expected to return to Europe with Mr Sarkozy later on Sunday, says the BBC's Stephanie Hancock in D'Jamena. | |
| Diplomatic efforts | Diplomatic efforts |
| Mr Sarkozy and his counterpart, Idriss Deby, will hold discussions in N'Djamena on "the situation of our compatriots and the other European citizens being prosecuted", a statement from the Elysee Palace said. | Mr Sarkozy and his counterpart, Idriss Deby, will hold discussions in N'Djamena on "the situation of our compatriots and the other European citizens being prosecuted", a statement from the Elysee Palace said. |
| French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has asked Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Defence Minister Herve Morin to launch an investigation into the affair. | French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has asked Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Defence Minister Herve Morin to launch an investigation into the affair. |
| The incident has come at a sensitive time as a French-led European peacekeeping force is due to be deployed in eastern Chad, to prevent the conflict in neighbouring Darfur from spilling over the border. | The incident has come at a sensitive time as a French-led European peacekeeping force is due to be deployed in eastern Chad, to prevent the conflict in neighbouring Darfur from spilling over the border. |
| Mr Sarkozy was involved earlier this year in negotiations with the Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi, in the case of six Bulgarian medics sentenced to death in Libya, who were eventually deported to Bulgaria and then released. | Mr Sarkozy was involved earlier this year in negotiations with the Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi, in the case of six Bulgarian medics sentenced to death in Libya, who were eventually deported to Bulgaria and then released. |