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France jails imam over Channel migrant crossings

The 39-year-old Iranian national, accused of arranging several crossings from northern France to England, fainted upon hearing his sentence.  

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A French court has sentenced an imam to two years in prison for helping migrants try to cross the English Channel in inflatable boats, reports the BBC.

The 39-year-old Iranian national was accused of arranging several crossings from northern France to England.

A 29-year-old Senegalese man who attended the mosque where the imam preaches also stood trial.

He was given nine months in jail and was banned from visiting Nord and Pas-de-Calais for three years.

The imam, who has not been named in French media, fainted upon hearing his sentence.

The men admitted providing six or seven dinghies after they were arrested in April, French newspaper Le Figaro reported.

Read more of this report from the BBC.