Overview

• Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed the repatriation of three French nationals sentenced to life imprisonment in Iraq after their death sentences were commuted in 2023.
• The decision reflects France's commitment to ensuring its nationals complete sentences domestically while addressing concerns over inhumane detention conditions abroad.
• Lawyers for the detainees have reported dire prison conditions, with one detainee described as gravely ill and requiring urgent medical attention.
• Repatriation is seen as facilitating reintegration and enabling French judicial authorities to question detainees involved in ongoing investigations into alleged torture and other crimes.
• No specific timeline or logistical plan for the transfers has been provided, leaving questions about the implementation of the policy shift.