France to release 300 convicted fanatics saying they've now 'served their time'

FRANCE'S justice minister has said 300 convicted jihadists will be released from the country's jails in the next four years.

Nicole Belloubet said 43 terrorists would be released this year, followed by "around 60 more" in 2021, and that by 2023 this number will have reached around 300.

The justice minister said the security services will "closely monitor" the convicted jihadis following their release.

Last month, Flavien Moreau, the first Frenchman convicted of fighting with Islamist forces in Syria, was freed.

The South-Korean born Moreau, 33, insisted he had changed and "understood that France is a country of rights".

He had been given a maximum seven-year prison term in November 2014.

His release – which was opposed by the prison authorities – sparked a debate in France about whether the rules should be tightened regarding the early release of convicted terrorists.

Under the terms of his release, Moreau will be subjected to various checks and rules for a year, but will then in effect disappear from the radar.

Putting him under 24/7 surveillance would require a dedicated staff of 20, according to French intelligence officials.

JIHADISTS ON THE STREETS

More than 250 people have been killed in terror attacks in France since the start of 2015.

Around 500 people are in jail in France in connection with Islamic terrorism. The majority are expected to be released by 2023.

Eric Diard, a member of the right-of-centre Republicans, has tabled a bill in parliament to make it easier to keep behind bars prisoners who are viewed as a continued threat to society.

Under his proposal, convicted terrorists will be made to appear before specialist tribunals as they become due for release.

The panels, containing psychiatrists and jail intelligence staff, would then decide whether those still seen as posing a risk should remain in prison.

Meanwhile in the UK today, emergency legislation to prevent the automatic release from prison of terrorist offenders halfway through their sentences is being rushed through the House of Lords.

Peers are expected to back all stages of the Terrorist Offenders (Restriction of Early Release) Bill in just one sitting.

Ministers want to get legislation, which has already cleared the Commons, on the statute book by February 27, before the next terrorist prisoner comes up for release.

It follows the Streatham terror attack earlier this month, when Sudesh Amman stabbed two bystanders with a knife he had grabbed from a shop.

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