Shares in France's biggest bank, BNP Paribas, sank more than seven percent in trading on Monday, following a US court verdict late last week finding it liable for atrocities committed in Sudan.

A New York jury on Friday found the bank helped prop up the regime of former Sudanese ruler Omar al-Bashir, opening the way to compensation demands.

The eight-member jury sided with three plaintiffs originally from Sudan, awarding a total of $20.75 million in damages, after hearing testimony describing horrors committed by Sudanese soldiers and the Janjaweed militia.

BNP Paribas on Monday declared its "unwavering intention to appeal" the verdict.

"There is no doubt whatsoever that the bank will fight this case and use all recourses available to it," it said.

BNP Paribas did business in Sudan fr

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