France drawn in to 'kidnapping' scandal

French newspaper Le Figaro is reporting that a government official was due to welcome the children in Paris.

Six members of the French charity Zoe's Ark and three journalists have been charged with kidnapping minors and fraud following their attempt to smuggle the children out of the country.

Seven Spanish aircraft crew and two Chadians have been charged with complicity.

The charity claims it was rescuing orphans from Darfur, however many of the children appear to have parents in Chad. © 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation