Two French journalists are facing a possible death sentence for interviewing Touareg rebels in Niger.
Thomas Dandois and Pierre Creisson, who work for the Franco-German TV channel Arte, have been held in the capital Niamey since December after being charged with 'undermining the security of the state'.
Their case will be heard by a magistrate on Tuesday and Wednesday, their lawyer said.
The journalists had permission to film in central and southern Niger for a report on bird flu, but they violated a state travel ban by travelling north to interview members of the Movement of Niger People for Justice, Niamey authorities said.
The two men will have a chance to plead their case, and the footage they shot will be screened.
Footage includes 'shocking' scenes of captured Niger soldiers in chains, Niger military sources said.
The French government and journalists' rights group Reporters Without Borders have called for Mr Dandois and Mr Creisson to be freed.
