A French uranium mining company, Areva, now known as Orano, is set to face trial over the 2010 abduction of seven employees in northern Niger.
The company is accused of underestimating the threat of Al-Qaeda’s North African branch and failing to implement adequate security measures, which led to the abduction of five French nationals, a Togolese, and a Madagascan.
The abductees were taken by armed men in Arlit, northern Niger, where Areva was mining uranium. One of the French captives, Francoise Larribe, was released five months later along with the Madagascan and Togolese nationals.
The four other hostages were released in October 2013 after being held for over three years.
The trial, ordered by magistrates in late September, accuses the company of carelessness and failing to protect its employees.
The company’s lawyer declined to comment, while the head of the firm’s legal department denied any wrongdoing.
Olivier Morice, a lawyer for one of the former hostages, Pierre Legrand, criticized the company’s lack of action despite numerous warnings.
