French pair held until trial after boys abandoned by road in Portugal

The couple, who allegedly left the woman's sons on a roadside in southern Portugal, will remain in custody.

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The boys were found on Tuesday evening crying beside a road near Alcacer do Sal, about 100km (60 miles) south of Lisbon. The woman and her partner, identified by authorities as Marine R and Marc B, were arrested in Fatima on Thursday.

As they were led into court on Saturday, the man shouted "I love you" in French and the boys' mother sang.

A judge ordered they be placed in pre-trial detention, French and Portuguese media report. They are both accused of child endangerment and abandonment, while the man faces an additional charge of aggravated assault.

In Portugal, suspects must be brought before a judge within 48 hours of their arrest to decide whether they remain in custody or are released ahead of their trial.