Editing Mercenary (section)

===France===
In 2003, France criminalized mercenary activities, as defined by the protocol to the Geneva convention for French citizens, permanent residents, and legal entities (Penal Code, [http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?code=CPENALLL.rcv&art=436-1 L436-1], [http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?code=CPENALLL.rcv&art=436-2 L436-2], [http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?code=CPENALLL.rcv&art=436-3 L436-3], [http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?code=CPENALLL.rcv&art=436-4 L436-4], [http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode?code=CPENALLL.rcv&art=436-5 L436-5]). This law does not prevent French citizens from serving as volunteers in foreign forces. The law applies to military activities with a specifically mercenary motive or with a mercenary level of remuneration. However, due to jurisdictional loopholes several French companies provide mercenary services.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

The French state owns 50% of [[Défense conseil international]], which it founded, a [[private military company]] (PMC) which does not supply any fighters but is used to export military training services. It realised a profit of €<!-- assumed currency -->222 million in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=|title=Groupe DCI|language=French|work=|url=https://www.groupedci.fr/groupe-dci/|access-date=|archive-date=6 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806045907/https://www.groupedci.fr/groupe-dci/|url-status=dead}}</ref>