Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Cour d'Appel de Paris (France) lodged on 29 June 2011 - Alexandre Achughbabian v Préfet du Val-de-Marne

(Case C-329/11)

Language of the case: French

Referring court

Cour d'Appel de Paris

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Alexandre Achughbabian

Defendant: Préfet du Val-de-Marne

Question referred

Taking into account its scope, does Directive 2008/115/EC of 16 December 2008 ¹ preclude national legislation, such as Article L.621-1 of the code de l'entrée et du séjour des étrangers et du droit d'asile [Code on the entry and stay of foreign nationals and on the right to asylum], which provides for the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment on a third-country national on the sole ground of his illegal entry or residence in national territory?

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¹ - Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals (OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 98).