"No Plan for Return of French Jihadists in Iraq, Says Gerald Darmanin's Circle"
A Second Look at Minister of Justice's Remarks in Tracking the Grim Fate of French Detainees Abroad
In a recent turn of events, the Minister of Justice, Gerald Darmanin, cleared the air about France's stance on repatriating detainees sentenced abroad. Contrary to certain rumors, the Minister did not intend to comment on "specific cases" and there's no forthcoming announcement of repatriation, as confirmed by his entourage to the Agence France-Presse (AFP).
In an interview with La Voix du Nord, a regional daily, a reader inquired about the potential repatriation of three Nordistes detained in Iraq, currently serving life sentences. To this query, the Minister replied, "Indeed, as is the case for many French detainees around the world, in Iran or elsewhere, French nationals must serve their prison sentences in France."
The Minister further expressed his belief that it would be inconsistent to demand that countries like Algeria, Morocco, or the United States take back their nationals subject to an OQTF [obligation to leave French territory] while refusing to bring back French detainees abroad. However, he refrained from elaborating on the modalities of any potential repatriations.
The same source added that the Minister simply affirmed that, generally speaking, French detainees abroad have the right to return to serve their sentences in France, and that foreign detainees in France have the right to serve their sentences abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, upon being contacted by AFP, declined to comment on Mr. Darmanin's remarks.
A Tiny Spark of Hope for French Jihadists Detained in Iraq
The Minister's words provoked a cautious ray of hope among lawyers of French jihadists detained in Iraq. Marie Dosé, lawyer for Djamila Boutoutaou, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Iraq in April 2018, remarked, "The Minister of Justice's remarks are heading in the right direction, but they must now be turned into action, and quickly." Boutoutaou's critical health condition necessitates an immediate repatriation, Dosé emphasized, expressing her previous, unheeded requests for transfer.
Richard Sédillot, representing three French jihadists sentenced in Iraq, including Vianney Ouraghi, a Nordiste, supports the thought that repatriation would greatly aid the process of reintegration, as family visits and other facilitators would make rehabilitation more feasible. Moreover, repatriation eases the way for French magistrates to question these individuals who are subjects of ongoing investigations in Paris.
Sédillot also shed light on the pitiable living conditions of his clients, a concern that's echoed by an investigating judge in Paris, currently investigating charges of torture against six French nationals detained in Baghdad.
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- Marie Dosé, a lawyer for a French jihadist named Djamila Boutoutaou, expressed optimism regarding Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin's statements, stating, "The Minister of Justice's remarks are heading in the right direction, but they must now be turned into action, and quickly."
- Boutoutaou's critical health condition necessitates an immediate repatriation, according to Dosé, who previously made unheeded requests for transfer.
- Richard Sédillot, a lawyer representing three French jihadists sentenced in Iraq, including Vianney Ouraghi, a Nordiste, supports the idea that repatriation would facilitate the process of reintegration, making rehabilitation more feasible due to family visits and other facilitators.
- Sédillot also highlighted the poor living conditions of his clients, a concern that's mirrored by an investigating judge in Paris, currently investigating charges of torture against six French nationals detained in Baghdad.
