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French charge 42 over Angola arms French charge 42 over Angola arms
(about 4 hours later)
The son of ex-French President Francois Mitterrand is among 42 people who are to stand trial for their alleged involvement in sending arms to Angola.The son of ex-French President Francois Mitterrand is among 42 people who are to stand trial for their alleged involvement in sending arms to Angola.
Jean-Christophe Mitterrand, who advised his father on African affairs, has been charged with bribe-taking.Jean-Christophe Mitterrand, who advised his father on African affairs, has been charged with bribe-taking.
French prosecutors say East European arms worth nearly $800m (£405m) were supplied to the Angolan president's forces illegally during the civil war.French prosecutors say East European arms worth nearly $800m (£405m) were supplied to the Angolan president's forces illegally during the civil war.
The transfers allegedly happened in 1993-2000. The war ended in 2002.The transfers allegedly happened in 1993-2000. The war ended in 2002.
Mr Mitterrand denies any wrongdoing, as do two of his co-defendants, Jacques Attali, a former close adviser to the late President Mitterrand, and the ex-centre right Interior Minister, Charles Pasqua.Mr Mitterrand denies any wrongdoing, as do two of his co-defendants, Jacques Attali, a former close adviser to the late President Mitterrand, and the ex-centre right Interior Minister, Charles Pasqua.
The arms sales investigation has focused on two businessmen, Pierre Falcone and Arkady Gaydamak, whom prosecutors believe supplied heavy weaponry to President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola to help him fight rebel Unita forces in the civil war. They deny the accusation.The arms sales investigation has focused on two businessmen, Pierre Falcone and Arkady Gaydamak, whom prosecutors believe supplied heavy weaponry to President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola to help him fight rebel Unita forces in the civil war. They deny the accusation.
France Info radio reports that the two businessmen are on the run outside France.France Info radio reports that the two businessmen are on the run outside France.
President Dos Santos's Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba, fought a bitter 16-year war against Unita forces, which killed up to 300,000 people. President Dos Santos's Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba, fought a bitter 26-year war against Unita forces, which killed up to 300,000 people.
Unita was backed by the US and white-ruled South Africa.Unita was backed by the US and white-ruled South Africa.