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2mo ago

François Hollande Testifies in ISIS Jailers Trial, Reaffirms France’s Stance Against Paying Ransoms

The former French president defended the nation's policy and recounted efforts to secure the release of four journalists held hostage by ISIS without financial concessions.

« L’État ne paie pas de rançon. Nous avons tout fait pour chercher le contact, savoir ce que voulaient les ravisseurs, faire ensuite qu’il puisse y avoir une issue favorable », a témoigné François Hollande.
François Hollande à Paris, le 9 janvier 2025.

Overview

  • François Hollande appeared as a witness in the trial of Mehdi Nemmouche, accused of detaining French journalists as part of ISIS operations.
  • Hollande reaffirmed France's longstanding policy of not paying ransoms for hostages, emphasizing the secrecy of operational methods used to secure releases.
  • The former president highlighted the extensive efforts of French services to free the hostages, rejecting claims of preferential treatment based on personal connections.
  • Defense attorney Francis Vuillemin questioned the possibility of indirect concessions, but Hollande maintained that no financial deals were made with the captors.
  • Hollande underscored that the journalists were targeted not due to France’s military actions but as part of ISIS's broader strategy to attack the nation.