French foreign minister Jean-Yves le Drian has said French citizens who fought with Islamic State before being arrested in Syria or Iraq will be tried by local authorities.
Mr le Drian said about 100 fighters have been captured in north-eastern Syria by Kurdish fighters.
He told BFM TV they will face justice before “local authorities” and will not be repatriated to France “because they are enemies who fought against Syrian citizens, Turkish people. They have raped and committed barbarian acts”.
The minister added that France’s doctrine regarding children was different, with the French government aiming to send them back to their country with the help of the Red Cross.
According to Mr le Drian, six families of French fighters have also been arrested in Iraq.
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