France, Oct. 27 -- Six defendants received life sentences - equivalent to 20 years in prison under Iraqi law, according to the court ruling on Tuesday - after the judge commuted their death sentences, citing their youth and the prospect of rehabilitation.

A seventh defendant, aged 24, was sentenced to 15 years. His mother had taken him to Syria more than a decade ago when she joined the jihadist group.

The seven were among 47 French nationals transferred to Iraq in 2025 after being held in neighbouring Syria.

Pressure grows to bring French Islamic State suspects home from Iraqi prisons Death sentences commuted

The six defendants sentenced to life imprisonment included Mehdi Sida, Anas Alaouchiche, Azeyed Abbasi and Lakhdar Sebouai, ac...