SAINT DENIS, Reunion, March 29, 2008 (AFP) - A court on the French island of Reunion on Saturday dismissed the case against the ousted leader of the Comoros island of Anjouan, Mohamed Bacar, but ordered him held in custody.

The decision also involved 23 other men, mostly soldiers. All will remain in custody for the time being, police said.

They were to originally face charges of illegal entry into the French territory of Mayotte and carrying unauthorised weapons.