French Jihadis Held in Syria and Iraq Will be Tried There, Says Minister

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty Images
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty Images

PARIS (AP) — French foreign minister Jean-Yves le Drian says the French citizens who fought with the Islamic State group before being arrested in Syria or Iraq will be judged by local authorities.

Speaking to BFM TV channel, Le Drian said on Wednesday that about 100 fighters have been captured in northeastern Syria by Kurdish fighters.

Le Drian said they will be tried by “local authorities” and won’t be repatriated to France “because they are enemies who fought against Syrian citizens, Turkish people. They have raped and committed barbarian acts.”

He added that France’s doctrine regarding children was different, with the French government aiming to send them back to their country with the help of the Red Cross.

According to Le Drian, six families of French fighters have also been arrested in Iraq.

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