Couple deny abducting five children

A woman and man have appeared in court accused of abducting five children from the same family - who were later found in Libya in north Africa.

The woman, Wedad Ahmed, 36, and the man, Mustafa Abushima, 43, both from Grange Road, Manchester, deny conspiring with other people to abduct the children, who were from Norfolk.

The couple, who appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Monday, also denied five alternative charges of kidnapping each child, and denied five alternative charges of abduction.

The court heard that the children of Anita Elgirnazi were collected by their father Azzedin from their home at Saxlingham Thorpe, Norfolk, in June 2000 but failed to return.

They were finally tracked down in Libya.

During Monday's hearing, Ms Ahmed spoke through an Arabic interpreter.

John Farmer, prosecuting, said that to prevent any public humiliation of the defendant, who was veiled, her identity would be confirmed out of the courtroom in private by a woman police officer.

The hearing was adjourned until September.