Algeria postpones trial of suspected child traffickers

Algeria postpones trial of suspected child traffickers

The criminal court in Algiers on Sunday postponed the trial of 13 people, including French-Algerians, suspected of trafficking an unknown number of Algerian children.

The case involves the alleged kidnapping of Algerian children, who were taken to Saint Etienne in France and given up for adoption in return for money.

Judge Omar Ben Kherchi postponed the trial because six defendants, including French citizens of Algerian origin, did not appear in court. Seven defendants did appear.

Algerian security services busted the alleged child-trafficking ring in 2009.

In addition to child kidnapping and trafficking, the defendants are also accused of conducting criminal operations and forgery.

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