Photo: 123RF
Twelve men in French Polynesia have been ordered to stand trial accused of paying for sex with a 14-year-old prostitute.
An investigation was launched in June, and the girl allegedly had contact with 12 men - four of whom allegedly had regular sex with her.
They are free pending their trial on December 8.
According to the public prosecutor, the teenager, who was known to the authorities as an at-risk child, offered sex for money via social media from March to October this year.
Among the accused are a medical doctor, an intelligence officer and senior private and public sector administrators.
The prosecutor says the accused have admitted to having contact with the girl.
If convicted for having been with an underage prostitute, the accused risk prison sentences of up to 10 years, a $US150,000 fine, and being entered into the sex offenders' register.
