Trial of five French jihadists in Baghdad postponed until 5 October
Hearings before Baghdad's Central Criminal Court have been adjourned due to the absence of lawyers. A new hearing is scheduled for 5 October.
Baghdad: hearing for five French nationals accused of Islamic State affiliation postponed to October
No verdict was handed down on Sunday for the five French nationals appearing before Baghdad's Central Criminal Court on charges of affiliation with the Islamic State. According to Le Figaro, the hearing was postponed due to the absence of their legal representatives.
"The hearing was postponed because it is mandatory to have a lawyer," explained a witness present in the courtroom. At least three of the defendants are represented by French lawyers, who were not present on Sunday. Faced with this situation, the Iraqi prosecutor's office designated an Iraqi lawyer for each of the accused, tasked with receiving the indictment and preparing the defence.
The next hearing is scheduled for 5 October. If the French lawyers are not present on that date, their Iraqi court-appointed counterparts will ensure the defence of the accused.
The five men are being prosecuted for their alleged affiliation with the Islamic State organisation. Their case illustrates the complexity of judicial proceedings initiated by Iraq against foreign fighters captured on its territory.
Source: Le Figaro