Zoe's Ark trial set to open

Updated 10.46 Fri Dec 21 2007
Keywords: Zoe's Ark, France, Chad

The trial of six members of a French charity accused of trying to kidnap 103 children in Chad is set to open.

The defendants face 20 years hard labour if found guilty and there have been calls for them to serve any sentence in their home country.

The defendants face 20-years hard labour if found guilty and there have been calls for them to serve any sentence in their home country

But the case has also sparked anger in Chad where France is soon to lead a EU peacekeeping force near the border with Sudan's troubled Darfur region.

The activists, who work for the organisation Zoe's Ark, were arrested in October as they attempted to fly out of Chad with 103 African children aged between one and ten.

They insist they were carrying out a humanitarian mission to give the children better lives in Europe.

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