(Reuters) A U.N. investigator rebuked France on Monday for its possible role in the transfer of seven suspected jihadists from Syria to Iraq, but Paris dismissed her concerns as speculation.
U.N. extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard said the seven French nationals were arrested by Kurdish forces and sent to Iraq in February “at the alleged request of the French Government or with its suspected involvement.”
After being reportedly tortured in Iraq, they now await execution on terrorism charges, Callamard added in a statement, urging France to press for their return home for a fair trial.
“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,” said French-born Callamard.
