A French judge has placed Vinci Construction Grands Projets, a unit of French construction group Vinci, under formal investigation over allegations it violated the rights of migrant workers in Qatar, human rights group Sherpa said on Wednesday.
Vinci said through its lawyer Jean-Pierre Versini-Campinchi that it would immediately appeal the judge's decision.
The company, which was not immediately available for comment, had said in a statement on Monday that it was "extremely regrettable" that despite proceedings having started seven years ago, its subsidiary should face charges just before the start of the soccer World Cup in Qatar.
