France: anger over trial delay due to Ramadan...

A row has broken out in France after a court postponed a trial, apparently because it was to take place during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. 

Critics say the decision is a breach of France's strict separation of religion and state. 

The trial of seven men for armed robbery was due to start on 16 September in Rennes. 

But last week the court agreed to a request from a lawyer for one of the accused to put it off until January. 

In his letter asking for the delay, the lawyer noted that if the trial were to start now, it would fall in the Muslim month of Ramadan. 

His client, a Muslim, would have been fasting for two weeks and thus, he said, be in no position to defend himself properly. 

He would be physically weakened and too tired to follow the arguments as he should. More...

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