I have no idea, but the article mentions people distressed because they have lost their pictures. ("if you should find your account disabled [...] you won’t be

I have no idea, but the article mentions people distressed because they have lost their pictures. ("if you should find your account disabled [...] you won’t be able to get your photos back"). Now in the EU there is the GDPR that forces anyone who has your personal data to provide it on request- but I'm not sure it would prevent FB from deleting it right after the ban.