France, Oct. 5 -- Rohane Rane, who came to France from India to study at a business school in Antibes, is accused of having been the leader of a group of young men from Germany, New Zealand and the United States who fed on racist and anti-Semitic propoganda as well as Nazi ideology.

The trial, which is expected to last until Friday, will be heard behind closed doors despite the objection of the lawyer for five of the American women - now aged 18 to 21 - who are civil parties in the case.

"My clients consider it important to raise awareness of the dangers teenage girls face on social media," said Hippolyte Marquetty.

But the Paris court agreed to a request from the US authorities. The chief judge said secrecy was required after threats ...