Two charged in deaths that sparked riots

A French judge charged two police officers in connection with the electrocution of two teenagers whose deaths in October 2005 set off three weeks of violence.

The judge in the Paris suburb of Bobigny charged the officers with failing to assist people in danger, officials said. If convicted, they could face as much as five years in prison and a fine as high as $97,000.

The two youths, Zyed Benna, 17, and Bouna Traore, 15, had climbed into a power substation while trying to hide from police officers who were chasing them. A police report faulted officers for failing to tell the electric company of their presence.