Iraqi court sentences six French nationals to life over IS membership

The short version

• An Iraqi court convicted seven French nationals of Islamic State membership, sentencing six to life and one to 15 years.[France 24 · Associated Press]
• The defendants were among 47 French suspects transferred last year from Syrian detention to Iraq for prosecution.[France 24]
• A defense lawyer said the defendants plan to appeal to the Court of Cassation, so the outcome remains open.[France 24]

Key facts

• Six French nationals were sentenced to life imprisonment and a seventh to 15 years for Islamic State group membership.[France 24 · Associated Press]
• The 47 French IS group suspects were transferred from detention facilities in Syria to Iraq last year under an arrangement coordinated by US forces and Iraqi authorities.[France 24]
• The presiding judge said the sentences were imposed under Iraq's counterterrorism law for joining IS and spreading fear, and life terms were chosen over the death penalty because the defendants were young.[France 24]
• Defense lawyer Abbas al-Maliki said the defendants would appeal the sentence in the Court of Cassation.[France 24]
• Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council said six defendants received life sentences and one received 15 years.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Iraqi court sentences six French nationals to life for IS group membershipFrance 24
• An Iraqi court sentences 7 French citizens to lengthy prison terms over Islamic State membershipAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press