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French on trial for Chad 'kidnap' French on trial for Chad 'kidnap'
(about 3 hours later)
Six French nationals accused of trying to kidnap 103 children in Chad have gone on trial in the African country. Six French nationals accused of trying to kidnap 103 children have gone on trial in the Chad capital, N'Djamena.
The case involving staff from the Zoe's Ark charity is being heard in the ex-French colony's capital, N'Djamena. The staff from the Zoe's Ark charity held hands as they arrived at court, amid tight security.
Zoe's Ark says the children were orphans from Darfur who were being taken to be fostered in France.Zoe's Ark says the children were orphans from Darfur who were being taken to be fostered in France.
The six, who have gone on hunger strike, could face 20-year hard labour terms if found guilty but the French government has appealed for leniency.The six, who have gone on hunger strike, could face 20-year hard labour terms if found guilty but the French government has appealed for leniency.
The court will try to establish whether the children were the beneficiaries of a humanitarian project that went wrong, or the victims of child-trafficking.The court will try to establish whether the children were the beneficiaries of a humanitarian project that went wrong, or the victims of child-trafficking.
'Fight to the end''Fight to the end'
The AFP news agency reports that the court was surrounded by anti-riot police and about 100 para-military gendarmes.
The courtroom was packed, included many journalists from the French media, AFP reports.
Zoe's Ark profile The case has sparked protests in oil-producing Chad amid claims the accused might benefit from special treatment because they are Europeans.
"Our clients will tell the truth, that they came here to do good," said Mario Stasi, lawyer for the charity's nurse, Nadia Merimi.
The six were stopped by officials as they went to catch a flight from Chad to France in late October with the children.The six were stopped by officials as they went to catch a flight from Chad to France in late October with the children.
Zoe's Ark profile
Most of the children have been found to have at least one living parent or guardian.Most of the children have been found to have at least one living parent or guardian.
The judge will want to know why, when none of the children was injured, they were bandaged and caked in fake blood ahead of their flight.The judge will want to know why, when none of the children was injured, they were bandaged and caked in fake blood ahead of their flight.
One of the accused, Emilie Lelouche, told France Info radio on Thursday: "We're going to fight to the end."One of the accused, Emilie Lelouche, told France Info radio on Thursday: "We're going to fight to the end."
The aid workers have been on a hunger strike since earlier this month, refusing food but drinking water, and have accused the French government of deserting them.The aid workers have been on a hunger strike since earlier this month, refusing food but drinking water, and have accused the French government of deserting them.
Special treatment?Special treatment?
On Thursday, French Junior Foreign Minister Rama Yade said the government had appealed to Chad to treat the accused with a "certain clemency".On Thursday, French Junior Foreign Minister Rama Yade said the government had appealed to Chad to treat the accused with a "certain clemency".
French Justice Minister Rachida Dati said this week that if convicted the six might be able to serve their sentences in France because of a bilateral judicial agreement.French Justice Minister Rachida Dati said this week that if convicted the six might be able to serve their sentences in France because of a bilateral judicial agreement.
Analysts have speculated a diplomatic deal could be struck after French President Nicolas Sarkozy met Chadian President Idriss Deby last week in Lisbon during a European and African leaders' summit.Analysts have speculated a diplomatic deal could be struck after French President Nicolas Sarkozy met Chadian President Idriss Deby last week in Lisbon during a European and African leaders' summit.
The case has sparked protests in oil-producing Chad amid claims the accused might benefit from special treatment because they are Europeans. But an unnamed Chad government official told Reuters news agency: "Have you ever seen an African sent back home after committing a crime as serious as the one [allegedly] committed by the members of Zoe's Ark?"
An unnamed government official told Reuters news agency: "Have you ever seen an African sent back home after committing a crime as serious as the one [allegedly] committed by the members of Zoe's Ark?"
Three Chadians and one Sudanese refugee are also on trial for conspiracy.Three Chadians and one Sudanese refugee are also on trial for conspiracy.
In all, 17 Europeans were arrested in the eastern Chadian town of Abeche on 25 October but 11 others - three French journalists, seven Spanish flight crew and a Belgian pilot - have since been repatriated.In all, 17 Europeans were arrested in the eastern Chadian town of Abeche on 25 October but 11 others - three French journalists, seven Spanish flight crew and a Belgian pilot - have since been repatriated.