Chadian President ready to pardon French aid workers

N'Djamena: Chadian President Idriss Deby on Thursday said he ready to pardon six French aid workers convicted of trying to fly 103 children out of the country.

The six aid workers were sentenced to eight years hard labour in Chad last year, but were flown home in December to serve equivalent jail terms in France.

Responding to Mr Deby's statement, the French government said it was sending a pardon request.

The development comes as France is helping Chad fight a rebel offensive.

The aid workers, who are members of the charity Zoe's Ark, denied kidnapping charges during the trial.
They said they were tricked into thinking the children they were preparing to fly to France were Sudanese orphans from Darfur.

The children were found to be from Chad and many had parents who were still alive.