Mitterrand's son held in arms probe

French judges investigating illegal arms sales to Angola have jailed the son of the late French president, Francois Mitterrand, while they continue their inquiries.

Jean-Christophe Mitterrand, who was his father's adviser on African affairs in the late nineteen-eighties and early nineties, was detained in Paris by police examining allegations that he misused his powers to help with the sale of weapons.

His lawyer says he intends to lodge an appeal later today .

Jean-Christophe Mitterrand is also alleged to have received cash payments of tens of thousands of dollars from an arms dealer, Pierre Falcone, who faces charges of illegal weapons dealing, tax fraud and corruption.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service