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Chad releases seven in child case Seven freed Europeans leave Chad
(about 2 hours later)
Chad has released seven of the 17 Europeans being held over an alleged attempt to take 103 African children out of the country. Seven Europeans released by Chadian authorities have left the central African country on board a plane along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The news came as French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Chad on a visit to discuss the case. The seven are four Spanish air hostesses and three French journalists.
The freed people are four Spanish air hostesses and three French journalists. They were among 17 Europeans held over an alleged attempt to take 103 African children out of the country.
Six of those still in custody are from French charity Zoe's Ark, which says the children are Darfuri orphans - a claim questioned by aid agencies.Six of those still in custody are from French charity Zoe's Ark, which says the children are Darfuri orphans - a claim questioned by aid agencies.
Three other members of the Spanish air crew are still in custody along with a Belgian pilot.Three other members of the Spanish air crew are still in custody along with a Belgian pilot.
The released Europeans will collect their belongings from the court in the capital, N'Djamena, and then go straight to the airport, said lawyer Jean-Bernard Padare.
They are expected to return to Europe with Mr Sarkozy later on Sunday, says the BBC's Stephanie Hancock in D'Jamena.
Diplomatic effortsDiplomatic efforts
Mr Sarkozy and his counterpart, Idriss Deby, will hold discussions in N'Djamena on "the situation of our compatriots and the other European citizens being prosecuted", a statement from the Elysee Palace said. Mr Sarkozy visited Chad on Sunday to discuss the case with his counterpart, Idriss Deby, in the capital N'Djamena. Sunday's release was announced shortly after his arrival.
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has asked Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Defence Minister Herve Morin to launch an investigation into the affair. The French President has criticised Zoe's Ark, saying last week that Paris condemned their activities.
But, speaking in N'Djamena, he said that he had urged Mr Deby to respect the right to presumption of innocence for those still in custody.
Mr Sarkozy said he had confidence in Chadian justice and that the two countries would work together to resolve the case.
The incident has come at a sensitive time as a French-led European peacekeeping force is due to be deployed in eastern Chad, to prevent the conflict in neighbouring Darfur from spilling over the border.The incident has come at a sensitive time as a French-led European peacekeeping force is due to be deployed in eastern Chad, to prevent the conflict in neighbouring Darfur from spilling over the border.
Mr Sarkozy was involved earlier this year in negotiations with the Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi, in the case of six Bulgarian medics sentenced to death in Libya, who were eventually deported to Bulgaria and then released. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has asked Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Defence Minister Herve Morin to launch an investigation into the affair.