Chad leader hopes some French, Spanish can be freed
01 Nov 2007 16:39:51 GMT Source: Reuters
(Adds quotes from Deby, detail) ABECHE, Chad, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Chadian President Idriss Deby said on Thursday he hoped two French journalists and several Spanish air hostesses detained over an attempt to fly African children to Europe would soon be released. "I hope for my part that the Chadian justice system can quickly shed light on this and that the journalists and also the (Spanish) hostesses will be freed. But I can't force the hand of Chadian justice, there is a procedure," Deby told reporters in the eastern town of Abeche. Deby said he had spoken by telephone on Wednesday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has called for the release of the journalists. Nine French nationals were arrested in the eastern Chadian town of Abeche last week after authorities stopped them from flying the children to Europe, saying they had no authorisation. They have been charged with abduction and fraud and face possible forced labour terms of up to 20 years if convicted. A Spanish pilot, a Belgian pilot and six Spanish crewmembers of the plane, along with at least two Chadians, have also been detained and charged as accessories. Deby was less hopeful about the quick release of the Spanish pilot, saying he believed there was "complicity", but said the Chadian justice system would decide. He said the case would not have any negative impact on relations with former colonial power France, which has troops stationed in Chad and is due to provide the bulk of a European Union peacekeeping force to be deployed soon in the east.
