Dec 19 (Reuters) - Six French humanitarian workers accused of trying to kidnap 103 African children go on trial in Chad on Friday as speculation grows that a diplomatic deal could send them back to France.

Although the accused risk forced labour sentences if convicted, many believe they will either be able to serve their jail terms in France under bilateral judicial accords or benefit from a pardon from Chadian President Idriss Deby.

The six are members of a humanitarian group called Zoe's Ark who were stopped in late October from flying the children, aged 1-10, out of eastern Chad to Europe. Chad said they had no authorisation to take the infants out of the country. Here is a short chronology of the case:

Oct. 25, 2007 - Police in Chad arrest nine French citizens in eastern Chad, near the Darfur border, as they prepare to fly 103 African children to France. Seven Spaniards, who formed the crew of the chartered plane, were also detained.

-- Among those detained were six members of Zoe's Ark, which said earlier in 2007 it intended to bring orphans from Sudan's violent Darfur region to France for fostering with families there.

Oct. 30 - Chadian authorities bring abduction and fraud charges against the nine French and seven Spanish nationals who they accuse of illegally trying to fly the children to Europe. A Belgian pilot was detained separately.

Oct. 31 - Chadians chanting "no to the slave trade, no to child trafficking" protest against the French group accused of trying to abduct the children.

Nov. 4 - Three French journalists and four Spanish flight attendants are released after diplomatic pressure from Paris. French President Nicholas Sarkozy flies to N'Djamena to meet Chadian President Idriss Deby and collect the freed Europeans.

-- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) says the bid by the French aid workers to fly the children out of Chad and place them with families in France breached international law.

Nov. 9 - Chad releases the three remaining Spanish aircrew and the Belgian pilot.

Dec. 7 - The six French nationals start a hunger strike, refusing food but drinking water. They complained their case was being neglected.

Dec 21 - Trial of the six on kidnapping and fraud charges set to begin. (Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit)

AlertNet news is provided by