Jonathan Geffroy trial: former IS jihadist sentenced to 18 years in prison
The hall of the Special Assize Court of Paris (illustration image).
AP - Francois Mori
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
18 years in prison with a two-thirds security period.
This is the sentence that the prosecution had requested and it is the sentence imposed by the special assize court of Paris on Jonathan Geffroy, after less than 4 hours of deliberation.
This 40-year-old Toulouse man was prosecuted for terrorist criminal association for having joined the ranks of IS fighters with his family in February 2015. After contacting French intelligence to request assistance with the exfiltration, he collaborated with intelligence and justice since his imprisonment in September 2017. But this displayed "repentant" attitude did not earn him clemency from the court.
Advertising
Read more
Transcript,
Laura Martel
“
I have always been cooperative because I see no other way to prove my disengagement.
I can't do anything more, yet I don't feel listened to, I feel presumed condemned, and that's hard
"underlined Jonathan Geffroy on Friday, before urging the court on Monday January 23 to retain "
all the work what he had done to leave IS
", but especially his evolution since his return and the explanations given on his journey.
But just as this repentant posture had not convinced the prosecution, the Advocate General describing Jonathan Geffroy as an "
opportunist
" who was seeking to obtain a lesser sentence against "
insubstantial
" statements.
The judges were not sensitive to his cooperation either: the elements given were not of a nature to identify people or elucidate cases, thus considers the court which insists on the other hand on the "
dangerousness
" of Jonathan Geffroy and his profile as a fighter in several katibats to explain the severity of the sentence.
His wife Latifa, also prosecuted for terrorist criminal association and who appeared free, will not return to prison.
This 40-year-old Moroccan was sentenced to 5 years, 2 of which were suspended, but these 2 years are covered by the time spent in pre-trial detention.
In her favour, the court recognized the help she provided, shortly after her arrival in Syria, to a woman who wanted to flee, as well as her perfect integration since her release.
Jonathan Geffroy plans to appeal.
It should be noted that his mother, accused of financing terrorism for having sent him more than 18,000 euros in the Iraqi-Syrian zone, received a 3-year suspended prison sentence.
►Also read Jonathan Geffroy trial: 18 years in prison required against the former IS jihadist
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
France
Justice
Terrorism