The Chadian authorities have arrested sixteen Europeans over an attempt to remove over 100 children illegally from Chad. The Europeans, nine French and seven Spanish citizens were arrested on the 25th of October at the airport in the town of Abeche in the east of Chad.

The French citizens who work for a French charity Zoe’s Ark claimed that they were “rescuing” the children from Sudan’s war torn Darfur region. The Spaniards are the crew members of the plane that was to take the Children to France, where it has been alleged the children were to be sold for adoption.

Staff from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) have dismissed claims by the arrested persons that the children were orphaned and in ill health. Having examined most of the Children, the UNHCR found them to be Chadian, not Sudanese, in good health and crying for their parents. Some of the children told how they were lured away from their homes with offers of money and biscuits.

The Chadian Interior minister, Ahmat Bachir, has vowed to ensure at least some of those arrested faced justice detailing how they had acquired forged documents to facilitate the removal of the children.

The French government has called the action by the charity irresponsible, but will still provide consular assistance to them to ensure they receive a fair trial if required.

The children are being cared for by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNHCR, the Red Cross and Chadian authorities as attempts are being made to trace their parents.