French trial over Tel Aviv car death

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30226861

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Two Frenchmen are being tried in Paris over a hit-and-run accident that killed a Israeli woman in Tel Aviv in 2011.

Eric Robic, who was driving the 4x4 vehicle that killed Lee Zeitouni, 25, faces charges of manslaughter and failing to help a person in distress.

Passenger Claude Khayat is accused of failing to help a person in distress.

They did not stop after the accident and immediately flew back to France, prompting an outcry in Israel. Both could face jail terms if convicted.

The two men are accused of causing the death of Ms Zeitouni, a pilates instructor who was crossing the road to get to work on 16 September 2011 when she was hit by the car.

Police say the BMW X6 was travelling well over the 50km/h (30mph) speed limit. The two men had just left a nightclub.

The incident led to diplomatic tensions between Israel and France, which refused to extradite the men insisting they should face trial in France.

Mr Robic, 40, faces up to 10 years in jail and Mr Khayat five years.

A lawyer for Mr Khayat told AFP news agency that his client was looking forward to the trial "to offer explanations and apologise to the family".