Girls facing Ghana court over drugs

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Yasemin Vatansever and Yatunde Diya, both 16 and from north London, were arrested on July 2 at Accra airport as they tried to leave the country. They were allegedly found with £300,000-worth of cocaine but have insisted they were set up.

On July 12 they were provisionally charged with illegal possession of drugs and attempting to smuggle more than 6kg (13lb) of cocaine into the UK.

Sabine Zanker, from Fair Trials Abroad, which is representing the girls' interests, said they would make a court appearance in Accra on Thursday, although the case is likely to be adjourned.

She added: "If the prosecution is ready they will be asked to enter a plea.

"But even if the prosecution is ready to proceed (to trial), the defence can always ask for an adjournment."

The girls are being tried under Ghana's progressive Juvenile Justice Act, Ms Zanker said.

This means they can only be remanded for a week at a time and that their trial must be completed within six months.

Ms Zanker said: "We have every confidence in the justice system there. We believe they will be getting a fair trial."

Miss Vatansever is the London-born daughter of immigrants from Cyprus, while Miss Diya, 16, is a British citizen of Nigerian descent. It is understood they could face up to 10 years in jail if found guilty.