Paedophile-film trial opens in Paris

France's first major paedophilia trial opened in Paris yesterday with 71 Frenchmen accused of organising or subscribing to a network selling pornographic films involving boys.

The alleged organisers face up to 10 years in prison for corrupting minors. Their accused clients, the bulk of the defendants, are liable to up to five years as accomplices. The defendants included Jean-Manuel Willaume, 45, who is accused of shooting the films in Colombia with local boys for a company called Toro Bravo (Wild Bull). He denies the charges. The alleged customers for films such as Little John I, Little John II or Carlos were arrested in a series of swoops last year and released pending trial. Reuters - Paris