The ten United States citizens held in Haiti on suspicion of kidnapping over 30 children are to remain in detention for the time being. The Americans had asked to be sent home until their case goes to court, but were denied a conditional release.

Although the group said it came to Haiti to adopt orphans, an investigation revealed that at least 20 of the children it tried to take across the border to the Dominican Republic had parents who were still alive. A lawyer for the group says that nine of the detainees were not aware that there were problems with the adoption.

Former US president Bill Clinton, who has been appointed by the United Nations to oversee the relief operation, has called on both governments to resolve the matter.

Photo: Haitian children - Flickr/Save the Children