French policemen charged with raping prostitutes

PARIS, Sep 12 (Reuters) Seven French former policemen have been charged with gang raping prostitutes and ordered to stand trial, a judicial source said today.

The case dates back to 2003 when the men were all members of the CRS riot squad. Prosecutors believe the group forced foreign prostitutes, who were illegally working in France, to have sex with them in return for not arresting them.

The men, who have all since left the police force, deny the accusations, saying they paid for sex while they were off-duty.

News of the charges came just a day after judicial sources said 10 police from the same CRS unit had been sent for trial on charges of blackmailing taxi drivers.

Around a dozen taxi drivers have complained that the 10 policemen forced them to pay between 50 and 150 euros in return for not reporting alleged traffic infractions.

REUTERS SAM RAI1847