French citizen given 7 years for joining Islamist militant group in Syria

PARIS, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A court in Paris has sentenced French citizen Flavien Moreau to seven years in prison for his brief membership in an Islamist militant group in Syria.

Moreau was arrested last year and charged with plotting to prepare and conduct "terrorist attacks."

The 27-year-old entered Syria in November 2012 but stayed only "about 10 days." Moreau explained at his trial why he left Syria so quickly after his arrival. "I really struggled with not smoking," he testified. "It was forbidden by the katiba [a group of Islamist militants]. I had brought Nicorette gum with me, but it wasn't enough. So, I left my gun with my emir and I left."

Moreau returned to France to purchase an electronic cigarette but was arrested by police in Turkey when he attempted to re-enter Syria. French police detained him in January 2013 when he attempted to buy a false passport.

The prosecution had sought the maximum seven-year prison sentence for Moreau, who was not present Thursday when the sentence was read.