This Wednesday, 8 September marks the opening of the trial of the 13 November attacks in Paris. In the dock are twenty people, including Salah Abdeslam, the main protagonist of the terrorist events.
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Salah Abdeslam is not very talkative. As the only surviving member of the November 13, 2015, attacks, he has barely spoken in years. But on the occasion of the historic trial that opened today, the main defendant finally deigned to say a few words.
'An Islamic State fighter'
This Wednesday at 12:30 pm, at the Palais de Justice in Paris, the trial of the 13 November 2015 attacks opened. Among the defendants in this case of terrorism that has plunged France into mourning is Salah Abdeslam, who is said to have transported the terrorist-kamikazes in front of the Stade de France, before going on the run.
Salah Abdeslam, who is not known to be very talkative, has not been very cooperative since his incarceration. But when asked about his identity, the accused finally spoke, saying:
I would first like to testify that there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his servant.
When asked about his parents' names, Salah Abdeslam replied:
The names of my father and mother have nothing to do here.
Afterwards, Salah Abdeslam was asked about his profession, which he said to have 'given up' to become a 'soldier of Islamic State.'
A historic trial
If Salah Abdeslam crystallises all the attention, it should be noted that these questions were asked to the 13 other men present in the dock. Officially, 20 people are on trial, but 6 of them are presumed dead.
Filmed for the occasion, this 'extraordinary trial' (in the words of the president of the Assize Court) should last 9 months. 1800 civil parties and 330 lawyers are expected to attend. This will be the longest trial in the history of France.
As a reminder, the attacks of 13 November 2015 cost the lives of 130 people.
