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French aid workers back in court French aid workers back in court
(about 5 hours later)
French aid workers convicted in Chad for child trafficking have gone before a French court, where judges are seeking to adapt their sentences. French aid workers convicted in Chad of child trafficking have gone before a French court, where judges are hearing how to adapt their sentences.
The six were sentenced to eight years' hard labour, a type of punishment which does not exist in French justice. The six were sentenced to eight years' hard labour, a type of punishment that does not exist in French justice.
Prosecutors called for the aid workers to be given eight-year prison sentences but defence lawyers argued such a sentence would be too harsh.
Chad allowed the aid workers to return to France to serve their sentences.Chad allowed the aid workers to return to France to serve their sentences.
They were convicted on 26 December of trying to fly out 103 children who they said were Sudanese orphans. But most were Chadians, and not orphans. They were convicted on 26 December of trying to fly out 103 children who they said were Sudanese orphans. But most were Chadians and not orphans.
We are not holding a new trial here Jean-Jacques Bosc, prosecutor
The four men and two women were also sentenced to pay a $9m (£4.5m) fine.The four men and two women were also sentenced to pay a $9m (£4.5m) fine.
They were flown to France two days later under the terms of a 1976 bilateral co-operation accord.They were flown to France two days later under the terms of a 1976 bilateral co-operation accord.
The French charity they worked for, Zoe's Ark, is facing a separate French investigation. "The most suitable sentence would be eight years in prison," state prosecutor Jean-Jacques Bosc told the court at Creteil, near Paris.
He argued that the aid workers had recognised the sentences handed down in Chad "were definite and would be enforced" when they asked to return to France.
He stressed that the hearing was a purely technical procedure.
"We are not holding a new trial here," Mr Bosc said.
"You cannot reconsider the facts or revise the sentences. Taking this path would be to violate an international principle," he said.
But defence lawyer Simon Miravette argued that his client Alain Peligat had "not accepted the decision by the Ndjamena criminal court but rather the transfer".
He said that the conditions of the transfer were "completely incompatible" with provisions of the European human rights convention.
Hunger strikeHunger strike
Group leader Eric Breteau went on hunger strike while still in Chad. His lawyer says he is very weak, but he did arrive at the French hearing.Group leader Eric Breteau went on hunger strike while still in Chad. His lawyer says he is very weak, but he did arrive at the French hearing.
All but one of the aid workers, nurse Nadia Merimi, were present in the courtroom. All but one of the aid workers - nurse Nadia Merimi - were present in the courtroom.
The French charity they worked for, Zoe's Ark, is facing a separate French investigation.
The aid workers' actions sparked outrage in Chad.The aid workers' actions sparked outrage in Chad.
Zoe's Ark insisted tribal leaders in Sudan had told them all the children were orphans from Darfur. It said it wanted to save the children's lives and was carrying out a medical evacuation - not an adoption operation.Zoe's Ark insisted tribal leaders in Sudan had told them all the children were orphans from Darfur. It said it wanted to save the children's lives and was carrying out a medical evacuation - not an adoption operation.
In statements to police, the families said they had not been told their children were about to be taken abroad.In statements to police, the families said they had not been told their children were about to be taken abroad.
They claimed that the aid workers misled them into believing the youngsters - aged one to 10 - would be offered temporary local school places.They claimed that the aid workers misled them into believing the youngsters - aged one to 10 - would be offered temporary local school places.
The Chadian government also accused the charity of "absconding without payment" of bills accrued in their attempt to fly the children out of the eastern town of Abeche. The Chadian government also accused the charity of "absconding without payment" of bills accrued in its attempt to fly the children out of the eastern town of Abeche.
In November seven Europeans arrested with the six Zoe's Ark workers flew home, accompanied by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.In November seven Europeans arrested with the six Zoe's Ark workers flew home, accompanied by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.