International custody battle closer to being resolved

04/05/09 19:15 CET

world news

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An international child custody battle that soured relations between France and Russia could be one step closer to being resolved.

Lawyers for Elise’s parents have come up with an undisclosed agreement that they will present to the 3-year old’s Russian mother on Wednesday. Over and above its international dimension, the feud is further complicated by the fact the mother is in jail for snatching Elise from her French father. Irina Belenkaia was arrested in Hungary when she took her daughter there. Elise is currently with her father Jean-Michel Andre in France. In the past two years the girl has been snatched between her parents three times. Andre has been under investigation in Russia for seizing Elise in 2008 in Moscow. It is thought the criminal case against the mother could be dropped if she agrees to the settlement.More about: France, Russia

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Spain's Bankia seeks 19 billion euros in state aid

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