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UN Expert Urges France to Try Nationals on Death Row in Iraq

AFP

   GENEVA - A U.N. human rights expert on Monday called on the French
   government to repatriate and try seven French nationals sentenced to
   death on terror charges in Iraq.

   In a statement, Agnes Callamard, a U.N. special rapporteur on
   extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, expressed "serious
   concerns" over the men's fate.

   "There are serious allegations that the sentences were handed down
   following unfair trials, with the accused having no adequate legal
   representation or effective consular assistance," Callamard said.

   She said Iraq's legal system was "marred by very serious structural
   problems."

   Hundreds of foreigners have been sentenced to death or life
   imprisonment in Iraq for belonging to the Islamic State (IS) jihadist
   group.

   European governments have long debated whether and how to take back
   former fighters and their supporters amid a host of security, political
   and legal issues.

   The seven French nationals were arrested by the Syrian Democratic
   Forces (SDF) and subsequently transferred to Iraq in February,
   allegedly at the request of the French government or with its suspected
   involvement, Callamard said.

   Once in Iraq, they were reportedly subject to torture or other
   ill-treatment, she added.

   "In these circumstances, the transfer of persons to Iraq for
   prosecution is illegal. I am particularly disturbed by allegations that
   France may have had a role in this transfer, given the risk involved of
   torture and unfair trials and that they would likely face the death
   penalty," Callamard added.

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