Ten Americans accused of trying to take 33 children out of Haiti illegally in the aftermath of last month's earthquake, have been charged with child kidnapping and criminal association.
Jean Ferge Joseph, a Haitian deputy prosecutor, announced the charges on Thursday and told the five men and five women that their case was being sent to an investigative judge.
"That judge can free you but he can also continue to hold you for further proceedings," he told them at a hearing.
The Americans, most of whom belong to an Idaho-based church, appeared stunned and some shook their heads.