France said that the four Bulgarians detained on charges of trafficking and forcing women into prostitution should be put on trial in Lyon.

According to EU regulations suspects are put on trial in the city where they committed the crime.

French authorities thanked Bulgarian investigators for the co-operation. French and Bulgarian officers worked on uncovering the trafficking scheme together.

The Bulgarians acted in Lyon and formed the organised group there. Nearly 15 pimps were part of the group. More than 10 Bulgarian women were forced into prostitution abroad.

All of the people involved in the scheme were detained and questioned but only four will remain under arrest.

The group made a transfer of nearly 300 000 euro from Lyon to Bulgaria. The women involved in the scheme will not be put on trial, French officials said.