Nine French nationals face kidnapping charges in Chad
{{date|October 30, 2007}}
[[Image:Darfur refugee camp in Chad.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Darfur refugee camp in Chad. {{Image source|Mark Knobil}}]]
Nine [[France|French]] nationals, that were arrested after they were caught trying to [[w:airlift|airlift]] over a hundred children from the country, will face charges of [[w:kidnapping|kidnapping]], officials in [[Chad]] say. Seven [[Spain|Spanish]] nationals, who were the crew of the plane, will face charges of being [[w:Accessory (legal term)|complicit]]. Two Chadians were also charged.

The French, six of whom are members of a charity by the name of "[[w:Zoe's Ark|Zoe's Ark]]," say that they were trying to rescue the children from the [[w:humanitarian crisis|humanitarian crisis]] that is resulting from the [[w:Darfur conflict|Darfur conflict]]. The other three are [[w:journalism|journalists]], there to cover the "rescue."

The prosecutor in [[w:Abéché|Abéché]], Ahmat Daoud, said: "For the nine French people it is a matter of kidnapping of minors...as well as extortion." They face 20 years in prison if convicted.

"Zoe's Ark" describes the children as [[w:orphan|orphan]]s and says that they would have a better life in [[Europe]]. "The team is made up of firemen, doctors and journalists," said spokesperson, Christophe Letien, at a news conference. "It's unimaginable that doubts are being cast on these people of good faith, who volunteered to save children from Darfur." However, French news agency [[w:CAPA|CAPA]] published an interview in which a "Zoe's Ark" member said they could not be completely sure the children were orphans in need of help.

According to Annette Rehrl, spokesperson for the [[w:United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]], few of the children appear to actually be orphans. "They keep saying that they want to return to their parents. Most of them are between three and six years old. It’s very difficult to ask three-year-olds their names and where they come from. Also, some children have already changed their names and stories," Rehrl said.

French officials say that they warned the group against this operation for months. "Zoe's Ark" offices in France were searched to see if the group broke French adoption law by promising families that they could adopt and not just host the children.

The [[w:President of Chad|President of Chad]], [[w:Idriss Déby|Idriss Déby]], says that it is a case of "kidnap, pure and simple." He further suggested that "Zoe's Ark" may have sought to supply the children to [[w:Pedophilia|pedophile rings]] or use them as donors for [[w:organ transplant|organ transplant]].

The [[European Union]] is about to deploy a [[w:peacekeeping|peacekeeping]] force, which includes French soldiers, along the border between Chad and [[Sudan]]. Déby has assured his French counterpart, [[Nicolas Sarkozy]], he will not attempt to block the EU troops.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2768229.ece
|title=Charity workers and reporters face 20 years for ‘kidnap’ of 103 orphans
|author=Adam Sage
|pub=The Times
|date=October 30, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/202EA1B6-98F9-4FDB-AAD0-EAE193A3BA1C.htm
|title=French aid workers on kidnap charge
|author=
|pub=Al Jazeera
|date=October 30, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,2201793,00.html
|title=Chad charges 'adoption' workers with kidnapping
|author=Mark Tran
|pub=Guardian Unlimited
|date=October 30, 2007}}

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{{archived}}

[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Chad]]
[[Category:Darfur]]
[[Category:Sudan]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Spain]]
[[Category:Nicolas Sarkozy]]
[[Category:United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]]

[[fr:Neuf Français accusés de kidnapping au Tchad]]
[[pl:Czad: zatrzymanie działaczy Arche de Zoé]]
Darfur refugee camp in Chad. 
Nine French nationals, that were arrested after they were caught trying to airlift over a hundred children from the country, will face charges of kidnapping, officials in Chad say. Seven Spanish nationals, who were the crew of the plane, will face charges of being complicit. Two Chadians were also charged.

The French, six of whom are members of a charity by the name of "Zoe's Ark," say that they were trying to rescue the children from the humanitarian crisis that is resulting from the Darfur conflict. The other three are journalists, there to cover the "rescue."

The prosecutor in Abéché, Ahmat Daoud, said: "For the nine French people it is a matter of kidnapping of minors...as well as extortion." They face 20 years in prison if convicted.

"Zoe's Ark" describes the children as orphans and says that they would have a better life in Europe. "The team is made up of firemen, doctors and journalists," said spokesperson, Christophe Letien, at a news conference. "It's unimaginable that doubts are being cast on these people of good faith, who volunteered to save children from Darfur." However, French news agency CAPA published an interview in which a "Zoe's Ark" member said they could not be completely sure the children were orphans in need of help.

According to Annette Rehrl, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, few of the children appear to actually be orphans. "They keep saying that they want to return to their parents. Most of them are between three and six years old. It’s very difficult to ask three-year-olds their names and where they come from. Also, some children have already changed their names and stories," Rehrl said.

French officials say that they warned the group against this operation for months. "Zoe's Ark" offices in France were searched to see if the group broke French adoption law by promising families that they could adopt and not just host the children.

The President of Chad, Idriss Déby, says that it is a case of "kidnap, pure and simple." He further suggested that "Zoe's Ark" may have sought to supply the children to pedophile rings or use them as donors for organ transplant.

The European Union is about to deploy a peacekeeping force, which includes French soldiers, along the border between Chad and Sudan. Déby has assured his French counterpart, Nicolas Sarkozy, he will not attempt to block the EU troops.

fr:Neuf Français accusés de kidnapping au Tchad
pl:Czad: zatrzymanie działaczy Arche de Zoé
Crime and law Politics and conflicts Africa Chad Darfur Sudan Europe France Spain Nicolas Sarkozy United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees