At a Glance:

• An Iraqi court has issued verdicts against seven foreign nationals.

• The defendants were convicted of links to a militant group.

• The sentences range from 15 years to life.

An Iraqi court on Tuesday handed prison terms to seven French nationals of Algerian origin, ruling that they joined the ISIS extremist group and terrorized civilians, according to the German news agency dpa.

Key Statements and Focus Area:

• Judge's Rationale: The judge said the rulings were intended to rehabilitate the convicts and give them an opportunity to put their lives back on track.

• Focus of the Article: The article centers on the sentencing of seven French nationals of Algerian origin by an Iraqi court for ISIS membership, with terms ranging from 15 years to life.

The verdicts were issued during a public hearing attended by court-appointed defense lawyers. Six of the defendants received life sentences, defined under Iraqi law as 20 years, while the seventh was given 15 years. All seven were convicted of belonging to the group, working with it in Syria, and spreading fear among civilians.

FYI

Iraq has prosecuted thousands of foreign nationals accused of joining ISIS since the group's territorial defeat in 2017, often under its anti-terrorism law, which carries severe penalties for membership and support. Many of those tried were detained in Syria and transferred to Iraq, while several European governments, including France, have generally preferred that their citizens face trial where the alleged crimes took place rather than repatriating them. Rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about the fairness of such trials and, in some cases, the use of the death penalty in Iraq.

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