France begins Roma expulsions

A Roma woman carries a child after arriving in Bucharest after France yesterday began repatriating Roma as part of a crackdown ordered by President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Altogether 93 were due to be sent back, said an immigration ministry official.

He said 79 Roma, or gipsies, were to leave on a charter flight from the central city of Lyon.

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Another 14 left on a flight to Romania from the Paris region earlier in the day. Another flight is scheduled today.

President Sarkozy linked Roma to crime and spearheaded a campaign to dismantle their illegal camps and send some home to Eastern Europe. Critics say the policy discriminates against one of Europe's most vulnerable communities.

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