Phil in Paris
03-03-2005, 07:20 AM
By Associated Press
March 3, 2005, 6:08 AM EST
ANGERS, France -- Sixty-six people accused in a harrowing and massive pedophilia case, in which young children were allegedly prostituted for food packets and small amounts of money, were being put on trial Thursday in western France.
The criminal trial, one of France's biggest ever, centered on the alleged rapes and other abuses of 45 children in a low-income community in the western town of Angers from 1999 to 2002.
Thirty-nine defendants face up to 30 years in prison on charges of rape of minors under age 15 and active participation in the prostitution ring.
Remaining suspects face charges of sexual violence against minors and failure to denounce crimes, charges that carry sentences of up to 10 years.
"To my knowledge, we've never seen a criminal case of this magnitude in France," said Pascal Rouiller, defense lawyer for five suspects.
The expected four-month trial was taking place in a specially built courtroom in Angers. Victims were expected to testify by closed-circuit television.
Prosecutors allege that children aged 6 months to 14 years were raped by their parents or offered to other adults in exchange for small amounts of money or parcels of food.
Defense lawyers said some suspects were illiterate and appeared not to fully understand the charges they faced.
The lawyers said they planned to argue that government social workers, who had worked with many of the suspects, had failed in their responsibilities or turned a blind eye to signs of abuse.
Some suspects, who hid their identities under masks during the abuse, are believed to still be at large.
Social services are now caring for and housing the alleged victims.
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Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press | Article licensing and reprint options
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-france-pedophilia-trial,0,5588348.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines
March 3, 2005, 6:08 AM EST
ANGERS, France -- Sixty-six people accused in a harrowing and massive pedophilia case, in which young children were allegedly prostituted for food packets and small amounts of money, were being put on trial Thursday in western France.
The criminal trial, one of France's biggest ever, centered on the alleged rapes and other abuses of 45 children in a low-income community in the western town of Angers from 1999 to 2002.
Thirty-nine defendants face up to 30 years in prison on charges of rape of minors under age 15 and active participation in the prostitution ring.
Remaining suspects face charges of sexual violence against minors and failure to denounce crimes, charges that carry sentences of up to 10 years.
"To my knowledge, we've never seen a criminal case of this magnitude in France," said Pascal Rouiller, defense lawyer for five suspects.
The expected four-month trial was taking place in a specially built courtroom in Angers. Victims were expected to testify by closed-circuit television.
Prosecutors allege that children aged 6 months to 14 years were raped by their parents or offered to other adults in exchange for small amounts of money or parcels of food.
Defense lawyers said some suspects were illiterate and appeared not to fully understand the charges they faced.
The lawyers said they planned to argue that government social workers, who had worked with many of the suspects, had failed in their responsibilities or turned a blind eye to signs of abuse.
Some suspects, who hid their identities under masks during the abuse, are believed to still be at large.
Social services are now caring for and housing the alleged victims.
Subscribe to Newsday home delivery
Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press | Article licensing and reprint options
http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-france-pedophilia-trial,0,5588348.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines