Freezer girl: Two face charges

By Chris Morris in Turkey

Prosecutors in Istanbul are seeking charges of attempted murder against two former employees of the fast-food chain, McDonalds, who allegedly locked a 10-year-old girl in a freezer compartment.

The girl, Leyla Alkis, had been trying to sell small packets of paper tissues to customers in the McDonalds restaurant.

McDonalds took firm action against accused employees

Witnesses who were in the McDonalds restaurant when the incident took place have testified that two members of staff locked the little girl in a cold-storage compartment.

She was released only after customers intervened.

A writ issued by state prosecutors said that even half an hour in a deep freeze could have caused Leyla Alkis's death.

McDonalds has already dismissed the two members of staff, including the manager of the restaurant. The company described the incident as "totally unacceptable".

A spokesman refused to comment on a possible claim for damages from the Alkis family, who could themselves be facing legal action for sending their 10-year-old daughter out to work.

Street children

Little Leyla is one of at least 7,000 street children who try to earn money in Istanbul by selling small items like paper tissues or chewing-gum.

Many of the families have migrated from rural areas of Turkey in the last few years and their children are forced to work on the streets.

This incident in an international restaurant chain has focused attention on a massive problem which is all too often ignored.