Twelve right-to-die activists to go on trial in Paris

PARIS — Twelve activists accused of helping people in France to illegally obtain a euthanasia drug used for physician-assisted death in some countries were set to go on trial in Paris on Monday, as the country debates a right-to-die bill.

The defendants are members of Ultime Liberte (Ultimate Freedom), an association that fights to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in France.

They are accused of helping dozens of people purchase pentobarbital, a drug used for physician-assisted suicide in countries such as Belgium and Switzerland, between August 2018 and November 2020.

Many of the defendants, whose ages range from 74 to 89, are retired teachers with no criminal records.

They are charged with trafficking illegal substances and face up to 10 years in prison if convicted — although