Sierra Leone convictions over vandalised plantation

A court in Sierra Leone has found six people guilty of vandalising a palm oil plantation put up by a French-owned company, in a protest against alleged exploitation. 

They've been told to pay fines of up to $10,000 (£7000) or serve up to six months in jail. 

Activists say the government has backed land grabs by foreign firms. They say some smallholders were induced to sell plots for as little as $200, or rent them out for $2.50 per acre per year. 

The firm in this case, Socfin, says it acted within the law and the government says the plots were unused. 

An exodus to the cities during 11 years of civil war up to 2002 has left much rural land abandoned and vulnerable to claims by fraudsters.