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French Court Convicts Sabri Essid of Genocide Against the Yezidi People

A landmark ruling marks the first time a French court has formally recognized the genocide committed against Yezidis. The court has found Sabri Essid, a French jihadist and former high-official of the Islamic State (ISIS) guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity, and sentenced him to life imprisonment. This trial was held in absentia, as Sabri Essid is presumed dead in Syria, though not confirmed.

"Whether the accused is dead or alive, the court's decision will send a message to Yazidis around the world. By recognizing this genocide, this trial delivers justice and puts an end to impunity."

Pari Ibrahim, Executive Director of FYF.

Sabri Essid, also known as Abou Dojanah al-Faransi, was a central figure in the French jihadist movement. He is accused of having committed genocide, as well as acts of enslavement, imprisonment, torture, rape, persecution and other inhuman acts constituting crimes against humanity, and of complicity in these crimes, against Yezidi women and children in Syria.

“While these judgments are crucial, justice and accountability for crimes committed by ISIS cannot overshadow the ongoing challenges faced by the Yazidi community in Iraq, who continue to live under severe psychological stress and security threats. The resurgence of ISIS in the region remains a significant danger to the community’s future”.

Pari Ibrahim, Executive Director of FYF.

Several Yezidi survivors and their children acted as civil parties during the trial. FYF’s Executive Director provided expert witness testimony in the trial, as did several other Yezidi and international experts.

"It was by buying my mother for $50,000 and my sister for $40,000 from ISIS that i was able to free them."

Samih Taha, Yezidi Survivor