French raids uncover trafficking ring

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Eleven people have been detained in France after police raids on Roma camps uncovered what prosecutors described as a trafficking ring that forced children to steal and beg at tourist sites in Paris.

Three others were arrested in Romania, the Paris prosecutor's office revealed Tuesday (local time).

Two hundred police raided three camps on the outskirts of Paris, and according to the SIPA news agency, dozens of children were exploited with orders to beg and steal in tourist sites and the Paris metro.

In August, France expelled hundreds of Roma - also known as Gypsies - from illegal camps outside Paris and elsewhere in the country. Many have remained in France despite the crackdown, saying they have little choice because of discrimination in Romania and elsewhere.

- AP