France jails eight men for three to 15 years over deadly migrant Channel crossing

"A French court on Tuesday sentenced eight men to between three and 15 years in prison over the deaths of seven people when a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Channel in 2023. Two Iraqis, six Afghans and one Sudanese national went on trial in November accused of running a migrant-smuggling ring and facing charges including involuntary manslaughter, in the latest case targeting such networks between France and the UK. Two 45-year-old Iraqi Kurds identified as the ringleaders of the smuggling network received the heaviest terms -- 12 and 15 years -- over the deaths of seven Afghans trying to reach the English coast. The sentences were in line with prosecutors' demands of three to 15 years for the eight defendants, who are aged between 23 and 45."

"The court acquitted a ninth defendant, a Sudanese man who fled war-torn Darfur and was the presumed pilot of the vessel, after the public prosecutor's office requested his release, recognising him as a "victim" in the incident. "All of you who have been found guilty of manslaughter created the conditions that led to the deaths of people who drowned before help arrived and exposed others to imminent risk of death," the presiding judge said on Tuesday. The court sentenced Tariq H. to 12 years and Idriss K. to 15 years in prison, with the judge saying the particularly heavy terms were justified by their "lack of remorse" and the risk of reoffending, as both had already been convicted as smugglers."

""You are first and foremost a candidate for departure and, like the other passengers, you could have lost your life," the presiding judge told him when announcing his full acquittal."

Eight men received prison terms of three to 15 years for roles in a migrant-smuggling operation after a 2023 Channel boat capsized, killing seven people. The accused included two Iraqis, six Afghans and one Sudanese national; two 45-year-old Iraqi Kurds identified as ringleaders received the heaviest sentences of 12 and 15 years. Charges included involuntary manslaughter and sentences matched prosecutors' demands. A ninth defendant, a Sudanese man presumed to have piloted the vessel, was acquitted and recognised as a victim. The presiding judge said those convicted created conditions that led to drownings and posed imminent risk to others.

Read at The Local France