Abducted girl's father open to court deal

MOSCOW, March 27 (UPI) -- French national Jean-Michel Andre says he will agree to a deal in a Russian court with his ex-wife if it means he can see his abducted daughter.

Andre told RIA Novosti Friday that he is prepared to conclude a settlement agreement with his ex-wife, Irina Belenkaya, whom he suspects was involved in their daughter's abduction in France last week.

"Yes, of course, it goes without saying. I answer 'yes,'" Andre said of his involvement in a legal agreement.

Andre and Belenkaya's 3-year-old daughter, Elise, was taken by three kidnappers last Friday in the French city of Arles. The kidnappers severely beat Andre during the abduction, RIA Novosti said.

A Russian court awarded Belenkaya custody of Elise in 2008, while courts in France gave Andre custody of the child following the couple's 2007 divorce.

Both Andre and Belenkaya have warrants for their arrest facing them in their former spouse's native lands, RIA Novosti said.