[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

April 3



BRUNEI:

Brunei will implement the Sharia laws from Wednesday, punishing sodomy, 
adultery and rape with the death penalty



The United States on Tuesday criticized Brunei's decision to implement Islamic 
laws that would allow death by stoning for adultery and homosexuality and urged 
it to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

"Brunei's decision to implement Phases 2 and 3 of the Sharia Penal Code and 
associated penalties runs counter to its international human rights 
obligations, including with respect to torture or other cruel, inhuman or 
degrading treatment or punishment," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino 
said in a statement.

Brunei, a Muslim-majority former British protectorate with a population of 
around 400,000, will implement the Sharia laws from Wednesday, punishing 
sodomy, adultery and rape with the death penalty, including by stoning, and 
theft with amputation.

Oscar-winning actor George Clooney has called for a boycott of luxury hotels 
owned by Brunei, including the Beverly Hills Hotel, because of the country's 
plans to impose the punishments.

"We continue to encourage Brunei to ratify and implement the United Nations 
Convention Against Torture, which it signed in 2015, and to sign, ratify, and 
implement the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," Palladino 
said.

(source: Reuters)

**********************

Brunei enacts new penal code as sultan calls for 'stronger' Islam----New penal 
code imposes death penalty for rape, adultery, sodomy, robbery and introduces 
public flogging.



Brunei is enacting a strict new penal code that imposes death by stoning for 
adultery and gay sex, as well as amputations as punishment for theft, despite 
widespread criticism.

An absolute monarchy, ruled for 51 years by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, oil-rich 
Brunei first announced the new penal code in 2013, but full implementation has 
been delayed.

Bolkiah, 72, is the world's 2nd-longest reigning monarch and ranks as one of 
the world's wealthiest people.

The new law mostly applies to Muslims, though some aspects will also apply to 
non-Muslims. It stipulates the death penalty for a number of offences, 
including rape, adultery, sodomy, robbery and insulting or defaming the Prophet 
Muhammad.

It also introduces public flogging as punishment for abortion as well as 
amputation for theft and criminalises exposing Muslim children to the beliefs 
and practices of any religion other than Islam.

The sultan first announced plans for the code in 2013.

The small Muslim-majority island had introduced penalties in stages, all of 
which come into force on Wednesday.

The laws will make Brunei the first country in East or Southeast Asia to impose 
the new penal code at the national level, joining several mostly Middle Eastern 
countries, such as Saudi Arabia.

'Barbaric to the core'

The decision to push ahead with the implementation of the laws come after a 
long line of politicians, rights groups and celebrities, including actor George 
Clooney and musician Elton John, condemned the new laws.

Clooney and John are among those calling for a boycott of hotels owned by the 
sultanate, which include the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Dorchester in London and 
the Plaza Athenee in Paris.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for the Human Rights Watch, said the code 
was "barbaric to the core, imposing archaic punishments for acts that shouldn't 
even be crimes".

Robertson also said there was "no place in the 21st century" for this kind of 
penal code.

Governments have also weighed in with the United States saying the punishments 
run counter to Brunei's "international human rights obligations".

"The United States strongly opposes violence, criminalisation and 
discrimination targeting vulnerable groups," said deputy State Department 
Spokesman Roberto Palladino.

France and Australia also called on Brunei to renounce the measures, with both 
governments expressing concern.

(source: aljazeera.com)

*****************

Brunei implements stoning to death under anti-LGBT laws



Brunei is introducing strict new Islamic laws that make anal sex and adultery 
offences punishable by stoning to death.

The new measures, that come into force on Wednesday, also cover a range of 
other crimes including punishment for theft by amputation.

The move has sparked international condemnation.

Brunei's gay community has expressed shock and fear at the "medieval 
punishments".

"You wake up and realise that your neighbours, your family or even that nice 
old lady that sells prawn fritters by the side of the road doesn't think you're 
human, or is okay with stoning," one Bruneian gay man, who did not want to be 
identified, told the BBC.

The sultan of the small South-East Asian nation on Wednesday called for 
"stronger" Islamic teachings.

"I want to see Islamic teachings in this country grow stronger," Sultan 
Hassanal Bolkiah said in a public address, according to AFP news agency, 
without mentioning the new laws.

Homosexuality was already illegal in Brunei and punishable by up to 10 years in 
prison.

Muslims make up about two-thirds of the country's population of 420,000. Brunei 
has retained the death penalty but has not carried out an execution since 1957.

What is punishable under the changes to the penal code?

The law mostly applies to Muslims, including children who have reached puberty, 
though some aspects will apply to non-Muslims.

Under the new laws, individuals accused of certain acts will be convicted if 
they confess or if there were witnesses present.

Offences such as rape, adultery, sodomy, robbery and insult or defamation of 
the Prophet Muhammad will carry the maximum penalty of death.

Lesbian sex carries a different penalty of 40 strokes of the cane and/or a 
maximum of 10 years in jail

The punishment for theft is amputation

Those who "persuade, tell or encourage" Muslim children under the age of 18 "to 
accept the teachings of religions other than Islam" are liable to a fine or 
jail

Individuals who have not reached puberty but are convicted of certain offences 
may be instead subjected to whipping.

What has global reaction been?

Sultan Hassanal heads the Brunei Investment Agency which owns the Dorchester 
Collection, an operator of some of the world's top hotels including the 
Dorchester in London and the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.

Brunei's ruling royals possess a huge private fortune and its largely ethnic 
Malay residents enjoy generous state handouts and pay no taxes.

But Hollywood actor George Clooney and other celebrities have now called for a 
boycott of the luxury hotels. TV host Ellen DeGeneres also called for people to 
"rise up", saying "we need to do something now".

The hotel operator said it did "not tolerate any form of discrimination".

"Dorchester Collection's code emphasises equality, respect and integrity in all 
areas of our operation, and strongly values people and cultural diversity 
amongst our guests and employees," it said. "Inclusion and diversity remain 
core beliefs."

In another development, a honorary degree awarded by the UK's University of 
Aberdeen to Sultan Hassanal is under review.

Is this the first time Islamic law is being introduced in Brunei?

The country first introduced Sharia law in 2014 despite widespread 
condemnation, giving it a dual legal system with both Sharia and Common Law. 
The sultan had said then that the new penal code would come into full force 
over several years.

The first phase, which covered crimes punishable by prison sentences and fines, 
was implemented in 2014. Brunei had delayed introducing the final two phases, 
which cover crimes punishable by amputation and stoning.

But on Saturday, the government released a statement on its website saying the 
Sharia penal code would be fully implemented on Wednesday.

In the days since, there has been international outrage and calls for the 
country to reverse course.

"These abusive provisions received widespread condemnation when plans were 
first discussed 5 years ago," said Rachel Chhoa-Howard, a Brunei researcher at 
Amnesty International.

"Brunei's penal code is a deeply flawed piece of legislation containing a range 
of provisions that violate human rights."

The United Nations echoed the statement, calling the legislation "cruel, 
inhuman and degrading", and saying it marked a "serious setback" for human 
rights protection.

According to rights group Human Rights Without Frontiers, stoning is still a 
punishment in countries such as Iran, Somalia and Sudan among others. Why is 
this being implemented now?

There are several theories, but Matthew Woolfe, founder of human rights group 
The Brunei Project, said it could be linked to Brunei's weakening economy.

"One theory is that it is a way for the government to strengthen its hold on 
power in the face of a declining economy that could potentially lead to some 
unrest in future," Mr Woolfe told the BBC.

"Connected to this is [Brunei's] interest in attracting more investment from 
the Muslim world, along with more Islamic tourists… this could be seen as one 
way of appealing to this market."

Mr Woolfe also added that the government might have hoped to get away with the 
latest roll-out without anyone realising.

"I think that the government did want to ensure that the international uproar 
that followed implementation of the 1st phase in 2014 had well and truly died 
down before further [implementation], in the hope it would just quietly [do so] 
without anyone realising," he said.

"It wasn't until increasing international attention that it finally came out 
and confirmed [this]."

The penal code changes were posted on the attorney general's website in 
December but only came to public attention in late March. There was no public 
announcement.

How are people in Brunei reacting?

One 40-year-old gay Bruneian currently seeking asylum in Canada said the impact 
of the new penal code was already being felt in Brunei.

The ex-government employee, who left Brunei last year after being charged with 
sedition for a Facebook post that was critical of the government, said people 
were "afraid".

"The gay community in Brunei has never been open but when Grindr [a gay dating 
app] came that helped people meet in secret. But now, what I've heard is that 
hardly anyone is using Grindr anymore," Shahiran S Shahrani Md told the BBC.

"They're afraid that they might talk to a police officer pretending to be gay. 
It hasn't happened yet but because of the new laws, people are afraid," he 
said.

Another male Bruneian, who is not gay but has renounced Islam, said he felt 
"fearful and numb" in the face of the laws being implemented.

"We ordinary citizens are powerless to stop Sharia law from being implemented," 
said the 23-year-old, who did not want to be identified.

"Under Sharia, I would face the death penalty for apostasy."

One gay man was hopeful that the laws might not be enforced widely.

"Honestly, I'm not too scared as the government here often bluffs with the 
harsh punishments. But it can and will still happen even with it being rare."

(source: BBC News)

*****************

New Penal Code Imposes Maiming, Stoning----Immediately Suspend Highly Abusive 
Law

The Brunei government’s introduction of a new Sharia penal code poses grave 
threats to basic rights, especially for the country’s most vulnerable people, 
Human Rights Watch said today.

The penal code, which goes into effect on April 3, 2019, requires death by 
stoning for extramarital sex, anal sex, and abortion; amputation of limbs for 
stealing; and 100 lashes with a whip for lesbian sex. Children who have reached 
puberty and are convicted of these offenses can receive the same punishments as 
adults; certain younger children may be subjected to whipping.

“Brunei’s new penal code is barbaric to the core, imposing archaic punishments 
for acts that shouldn’t even be crimes,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia 
director. “Sultan Hassanal should immediately suspend amputations, stoning, and 
all other rights-abusing provisions and punishments.”

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah first formally published the Sharia, or Islamic Law, 
Syariah Penal Code Order in October 2013. At that time, the government stated 
it would implement the new law in three phases. The first phase would enact the 
provisions punishable by fines or imprisonment in April 2014. The second and 
third phases would then be introduced over the next two years, implementing 
provisions that included punishments such as amputation, whipping, or stoning 
to death. Following an international outcry over the severity of the 
punishments, the government delayed further implementation of the law. However, 
on December 29, 2018, Brunei’s attorney general quietly issued a notification 
that the law would be enacted in full on April 3.

On March 30, the Prime Minister’s Office sought to contain global outrage 
against the new law, issuing a statement that the code aims to “respect and 
protect the legitimate rights of all individuals.” Claims that this draconian 
law respects rights are without basis.

Brunei should immediately withdraw the order enacting Syariah Penal Code Order 
2013, and amend its provisions in accordance with international human rights 
standards.

“Every day that Brunei’s penal code is in force is a multifaceted assault on 
human dignity,” Robertson said. “Governments around the world should make clear 
to Brunei’s sultan that there can be no business as usual so long as the threat 
of whipping, stoning or amputation remains on the books.”

How Do Punishments Included in Brunei’s Sharia Penal Code Violate International 
Human Rights Law?

Provisions of the Sharia penal code violate Brunei’s obligations under 
international human rights law, including the rights to life, freedom from 
torture and other ill-treatment, expression, religion, privacy, and individual 
autonomy, among others. The code is discriminatory on its face, and violates 
many rights of women, children, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender 
people, among others.

The punishments provided under the new code violate customary international law 
prohibitions against torture and other ill-treatment, as reflected in the 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and treaties to which Brunei is party, 
such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The use of stoning or 
intentional amputation as a punishment violates the absolute prohibition of all 
forms of torture, and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or 
punishment.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has said in its General Comment No. 
36 that “under no circumstances can the death penalty ever be applied as a 
sanction against conduct” that is protected by international law, including 
adultery and homosexuality. Retaining the death penalty for such “offenses” is 
a form of arbitrary deprivation of life and violates Brunei’s international 
legal obligations.

The code also imposes the death penalty for some forms of robbery and rape, and 
for insult or defamation of the Prophet Mohammad (articles 63, 76, 220) by both 
Muslims and non-Muslims. This is inconsistent with the international principle 
that the death penalty should be reserved for only “the most serious crimes,” 
namely those involving intentional killing.

How does Brunei’s Sharia Penal Code Violate Freedom of Expression?

The new Sharia penal code punishes both Muslims and non-Muslims for printing, 
disseminating, importing, broadcasting, and distributing publications against 
Islamic beliefs (articles 213, 214, and 215). This is an excessive and 
disproportionate restriction on the rights to freedom of expression and 
religion.

The law also punishes “indecent” dressing and cross-dressing (articles 197, 
198), which arbitrarily restricts freedom of expression and association and 
privacy rights, and constitutes a form of discrimination on the basis of gender 
expression.

How Does Brunei’s Sharia Penal Code Harm Women, LGBT People, and Children?

The Sharia penal code sets up serious barriers for Muslim women to escape 
violent marriages or seek equal employment opportunities. It criminalizes 
anyone who prevents a legally married Muslim couple living together or 
“entices” married Muslim women to leave their matrimonial home and similarly, 
punishes those who leave the custody of their parents or guardians. The law 
also punishes Muslim women for pregnancy outside of marriage (article 94). 
However, the attorney general’s order of December 29, 2018, exempted article 94 
from immediate implementation starting on April 3.

The code makes consensual same-sex acts illegal and punishable by death or by 
whipping. It institutionalizes discrimination against lesbian, gay, and 
bisexual people in its most severe form. At a time when many countries are 
decriminalizing consensual same-sex conduct, Brunei is joining seven countries 
that punish consensual homosexual acts with the death penalty. The law also 
attempts to legislate transgender people out of existence by prohibiting 
dressing in the attire associated with a different sex.

The penal code imposes criminal liability and punishment – including stoning, 
whipping, and imprisonment – upon children who have obtained puberty, referred 
to as baligh under the law. Children deemed old enough to know the difference 
between right or wrong, referred to as mumaiyiz under the law and traditionally 
interpreted under Sharia to be around age 7, may be punished, including by 
whipping. These provisions violate international law, including the rights of 
children protected in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, notably 
prohibitions against the death penalty, and torture and other ill-treatment. 
The penal code also criminalizes any conduct exposing Muslim children to the 
beliefs and practices of any religion other than Islam.

Does the Sharia Penal Code Apply to Both Muslims and Non-Muslims?

In some legal systems said to derive from the Quran, Sharia applies only to 
Muslims. In contrast, most of the laws in Brunei’s Syariah Penal Code are 
applicable to both Muslims and non-Muslims. For example, articles 82 and 84, 
punishing liwat, or anal sex between two men or a woman and a man, applies to 
both Muslims and non-Muslims. Article 69, punishing zina, or extramarital sex, 
and article 92, punishing musahaqah, sexual relations between women, apply in 
instances in which the accused persons are 2 Muslims or a Muslim and a 
non-Muslim.

Non-Muslims who commit khalwat – living together, cohabiting, or being in close 
proximity to another in private – under article 196 will be punished with 
imprisonment and a fine.

Anyone who publicly consumes food, drink, or tobacco before sundown during the 
month of Ramadan faces imprisonment and a fine under article 195.

(source: Human Rights Watch)

*********************

EU condemns 'cruel' new Brunei laws



The European Union has condemned Brunei's new laws, saying some of the "cruel" 
punishments now permitted under a sharia penal code amount to torture and 
breach international human rights agreements.

The legislation introduced in Brunei, which includes death by stoning for 
adultery and gay sex, as well as amputation of hands and feet for thieves, has 
triggered a global criticism from politicians, celebrities and rights groups.

"Some of the punishments foreseen in the criminal code amount to torture, acts 
of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment," an EU spokesperson said in a 
statement.

The statement said the punishments breached the UN convention against torture, 
which Brunei signed up to in 2015.

"It is critical that the government of Brunei-Darussalam ensures that the 
implementation of the Penal Code Order does not infringe on human rights and is 
fully consistent with all international and regional human rights commitments 
and obligations undertaken by Brunei-Darussalam," the statement said, adding 
that the EU expected Brunei to maintain its de facto moratorium on executions.

The laws make Brunei - ruled by the all-powerful Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah - the 
1st place in east or southeast Asia to have a sharia penal code at the national 
level, joining several mostly Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia.

The decision to push ahead with the punishments after years of delays has 
sparked alarm, with the UN labelling them "cruel and inhumane" and celebrities 
led by actor George Clooney and pop star Elton John calling for a boycott of 
Brunei-owned hotels.

The tough penal code in the tiny country on tropical Borneo island - will fully 
come into force following years of delays.

The sultan has shown no sign of backing down despite the criticism, and the 
Muslim-majority country issued a statement at the weekend insisting that Brunei 
"enforces its own rule of law" and sharia "aims to educate, respect and protect 
the legitimate rights of all individuals".

The sultan is due to attend a public event today, and may make an announcement 
related to the implementation of the laws.

The sultan - who is one of the world's wealthiest men and lives in a vast, 
golden-domed palace - announced plans for the penal code in 2013 and the first 
phase was introduced the following year.

This included less stringent penalties, such as fines or jail terms for 
offences including indecent behaviour, failure to attend Friday prayers, and 
out-of-wedlock pregnancies.

A series of well-known figures have lined up to add to their names to the 
chorus of condemnation, including former US vice president Joe Biden and 
actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

Phil Robertson, Asia deputy director for Human Rights Watch, said: "This kind 
of law doesn't belong in the 21st century. It's going to be something that will 
turn Brunei into a human rights pariah."

The sultan, who is the world's second-longest reigning monarch, is unlikely to 
change course, however. He first called for the penal code in the late 1990s 
and it appears to enjoy broad support in the former British protectorate of 
about 400,000 people.

Analysts say he is seeking to burnish his Islamic credentials and shore up 
support among the country's conservatives due to the waning fortunes of the 
oil-dependent economy, which has been badly hit by recession in recent years.

It is also unclear whether death by stoning will actually be implemented, as a 
high burden of proof is needed to hand down the punishment and Brunei has not 
executed anyone for decades.

(source: rte.ie)

*********************

Oxford University refuses to strip Sultan of Brunei’s degree over gay death 
penalty law



Oxford University has ignored calls from its student union to strip the Sultan 
of Brunei of his honorary degree over the country’s implementation of sharia 
law, which makes gay sex punishable by death by stoning.

The Southeast Asian country has been widely condemned by human rights groups 
and celebrities alike for its draconian legislation, which came into force on 
Wednesday (April 3).

Oxford University awarded Brunei sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who has ruled over 
the country both as head of state and prime minister since 1967, an honorary 
degree of civil law by diploma in 1993. But the institute has come under 
pressure from its official student body to take back the academic honour.

Speaking to PinkNews, Ellie Macdonald, vice-president of welfare and equal 
opportunity at Oxford University Student Union, said: “All honorary doctorates 
should reflect the ethos of the University.

“We want to create a safe and inclusive society for all and the people who 
receive this type of honour should be held to a high standard.

“If they fail to meet that, as in this case, they should be stripped of their 
honour.”

The top university, however, has refused to strip the sultan of the honorary 
degree.

“At present, the University will not be rescinding the Sultan of Brunei’s 1993 
Honorary Degree of Civil Law by Diploma,” a University of Oxford spokesperson 
told PinkNews.

“We share the international condemnation of Brunei’s new penal code and back 
the United Nations’ call to stop the code entering into force.”

In 2016, the University of Oxford came under fire after it refused to remove a 
statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College.

Aberdeen University says it will review Brunei sultan’s honorary degree

Oxford University’s statement comes after the University of Aberdeen in 
Scotland, which awarded the sultan an honorary degree in 1995, said that it 
would review the academic honour in light of the country’s new anti-gay 
legislation.

A University of Aberdeen spokesperson told PinkNews: “The University of 
Aberdeen is inclusive and open to all.

“In light of this new information this matter will be raised as a matter of 
urgency with the University’s Honorary Degrees Committee.”

Bolkiah also has honorary degrees from King’s College London, Moscow State 
University for International Relations, Chulalongkorn University of Thailand, 
Universitas Gadjah Mada, National University of Singapore and Universitas 
Indonesia.

The introduction of the strict Islamic legal system of sharia law in Brunei, a 
former British protected state, will also impose the death penalty for 
adultery, amputation for those found guilty of theft, and flogging for 
abortion.

Brunei, which sits on the island of Borneo, first announced its intention to 
introduce sharia law in 2013.

Celebrities including George Clooney and Ellen DeGeneres have condemned the 
legislation, alongside humanitarian organisations.

UK government warns Britons travelling to Brunei

The UK government, meanwhile, has warned LGBT+ British citizens travelling to 
Brunei.

In a statement released on March 29, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said 
that it was concerned by the Southeast Asian country’s draconian legislation, 
which will see the country implement sharia law on April 3.

“Corporal and capital punishment goes against our national values and has been 
banned in the United Kingdom for decades,” a Foreign and Commonwealth Office 
spokesperson told PinkNews.

“The Minister for Asia and High Commissioner have raised their concerns in 
person, and we have updated the travel advice to warn British citizens of the 
new local laws in Brunei.”

(source: pinknews.co.uk)








IRAN:

Iran Human Rights Monitor Monthly Report – March 2019



Death penalty

There were 15 executions of which one was carried out in public.

On Thursday, March 14, 2019, a prisoner was publically hanged in Jahrom, south 
of Iran.

Also on Monday, March 11, three prisoners in Birjand Prison, northeastern Iran, 
charged with killing 2 armed agents of the regime, were also executed. Two of 
those executed were father and son.

A day prior to that, the Iranian regime executed another prisoner in Zahedan 
Central Prison, southeastern Iran. He was married and a father of 2 children. 
Some sources have mentioned that he was a former member of Iran’s national 
kickboxing team.

These executions were carried out after Ebrahim Raisi, one of the men in charge 
of the mass executions in 1988 massacre, was recently appointed as the head of 
Iran’s judiciary by the regime’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

During his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Raisi emphasized on the course 
of massacre, execution, and suppression to safeguard the regime in the past 40 
years. He said that he would consider Khamenei’s recent “2nd phase” statement 
as his covenant and that the regime’s security is his absolute priority and 
that justice is subsidiary compared to it.

(source: Iran Human Rights)








SAUDI ARABIA:

EU opposes capital punishment in Saudi Arabia----Foreign policy chief Mogherini 
says it is ‘cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent’



EU foreign policy chief Tuesday said the bloc opposes capital punishments in 
Saudi Arabia where the number this year passed 45.

"The European Union is unequivocally opposed to the use of capital punishment 
in all cases and without exception," Federica Mogherini said in an official 
statement.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia executed in the past days four people convicted 
for drug trafficking offenses. These recent executions bring the number of 
people put to death since January 2019 to over 45," she said.

Mogherini said capital punishment is a "cruel and inhumane punishment, which 
fails to act as a deterrent.”

Saudi Arabia has been under increasing pressure for its detention of political 
prisoners and activists, and in recent months the pressure has grown 
considerably after claims that female activists being detained are subject to 
lashings and electric shocks.

Moreover, the kingdom is under heavy scrutiny following the murder of Saudi 
journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last October.

It is believed Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of the 
Washington Post journalist. The government admitted Khashoggi was killed in a 
fight with “rogue” agents but contend the royal court had nothing to do with 
it.

(source: aa.com.tr)







IRAQ:

Who are the 12 accused French jihadists to be tried by Iraq?



Iraq will try 12 French nationals accused of fighting for the Islamic State 
group, who were caught by US-backed fighters in neighbouring Syria and 
transferred to Baghdad in February.

No court date has been set, but the suspects will be tried according to Iraq's 
counterterrorism law -- which can dole out the death penalty to anyone who 
joined a "terrorist" group, even if they were not explicitly fighting.

Below are profiles of the 12 detainees, according to an Iraqi security 
official, the French Terrorism Analysis Center (CAT) and other sources compiled 
.

Leonard Lopez

Even before IS, 32-year-old Leonard Lopez was known to French authorities for 
his activity on Francophone jihadist website Ansar al-Haqq in the 2000s.

In July 2015, the native Parisian travelled with his wife and 2 children to 
IS-held Mosul in northern Iraq before entering Syria, according to French 
investigators.

Lopez, known as Abu Ibrahim al-Andalusi after joining IS, was sentenced in 
absentia in 2018 for his involvement in Ansar al-Haqq but is a lso wanted on 
other charges.

Kevin Gonot

Kevin Gonot, 32, entered Syria through Turkey to join IS rival and former 
Al-Qaeda branch Al-Nusra Front, according to a "confession" published by Iraq's 
judiciary.

He then pledged allegiance to IS, fighting under the name Abu Sufyan, before 
being arrested in Syria with his mother, wife, and half-brother Thomas 
Collange, 31.

He said his father was killed in IS's de facto Syrian capital, Raqa.

French courts have already sentenced Gonot in absentia to 9 years in prison, 
according to CAT.

Fodil Tahar Aouidate

Fodil Tahar Aouidate, 32, made a first trip to Syria in 2013 and returned in 
2014 to join IS, according to the French judiciary.

After 130 people were killed in IS's 2015 Paris attacks, Aouidate appeared in a 
video saying it was his "great pleasure and joy to see these unbelievers suffer 
as we suffer here."

Authorities also linked him to Belgium's Salafist movement, including the Paris 
attacks mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud.

France convicted 2 of Aouidate's sisters for "financing terrorism" for sending 
15,000 euros to relatives in Syria.

Mustapha Merzoughi

A former French army soldier, Mustapha Merzoughi told Iraqi interrogators he 
joined IS after "research on social media and websites by IS and Al-Nusra 
Front".

He travelled to Aleppo in northern Syria for "religious and military training" 
then pledged allegiance to IS in Mosul.

Merzoughi, who is of Tunisian origin, hails from Toulouse -- also the hometown 
of Fabien and Jean-Michel Clain, who notoriously claimed the Paris attacks and 
were killed in Baghouz, IS's last bastion in east Syria.

Yassin Sakkam

Yassin Sakkam, 29, left France in late 2014 to fight with IS, posting online 
pictures of himself carrying arms and speaking to multiple media outlets about 
IS.

France has been seeking his arrest since 2016 and Kurdish authorities detained 
him in Syria in 2017.

His brother Karim committed a suicid e attack at the Iraqi-Jordanian border in 
2015, according to CAT.

Karam el-Harchaoui

Karam el-Harchaoui, 32, left for Syria in 2014 from Belgium. According to 
Belgian daily HLN, his younger brother and their Belgian wives were also IS 
members.

Salim Machou

At 41, Salim Machou was a member of the infamous Tariq ibn Ziyad brigade, "a 
European foreign terrorist fighter cell" that carried out attacks in Iraq and 
Syria and planned the Paris and Brussels attacks, according to US officials.

Vianney Ouraghi

Vianney Ouraghi, 28, left France for Syria in 2013 and joined Al-Nusra, before 
jumping to IS when the latter declared its "caliphate" in 2014, according to 
CAT.

Of Algerian origin, Ouraghi told his Iraqi interrogators that he had abandoned 
studies in psychology in France after "having been persuaded to join IS through 
social media".

He admitted undergoing religious and military training and was also present at 
"a foreign fighter shelter in Mosul".

Brahim Nejara

Brahim Nejara, 33, was involved in IS's foreign fighter operations, according 
to CAT.

He helped foreign fighters join IS in Syria, persuaded one of his brothers to 
commit an attack in France, and was associated with Foued Mohamed-Aggad, one of 
the suicide bombers at the Bataclan theatre in the 2015 Paris attacks.

Bilel Kabaoui

This 32-year-old hails from Sevres, around Paris, and travelled to IS territory 
in the summer of 2014, said CAT.

Mohammed Berriri

At 24, Mohammed Berriri worked with IS across various Syrian provinces, 
according to CAT, who did not specify whether he had spent time in Iraq with 
the group.

Iraq's prime minister, Adel Abdel Mahdi, has hinted that Baghdad may try 
foreigners who have never fought in Iraq, saying his authorities had been 
pursuing some who "provided logistical support to those in Iraq, because as you 
know the battlefields became one."

- Mourad Delhomme - Mourad Delhomme, 40, is of Algerian origin and was arrested 
around a year ago in Syria's eastern Deir Ezzor, according to the CAT.

CAT describes him as a "jihadist veteran who worked as a judge" in IS courts, 
which regularly doled out harsh punishments including death sentences and 
lashings to anyone who violated the group's ultra-conservative rules.

(source: al-monitor.com)