Over half a decade following France’s deadly November 13, 2015 attacks, the French judiciary began on Wednesday, the process of a historic trial of Salah Abdeslam and 19 other defendants expected to last for nine months.
Abdeslam is the last surviving member of the terrorist cell that targeted France’s national stadium, the Bataclan concert hall and Paris restaurants and cafes that night, leaving 130 people dead and hundreds more injured.
The main defendant reportedly said that he and his fellow accused are being treated “like dogs,” after a co-accused suffered a malaise on the dock. Abdeslam said that while the purpose-built courtroom in the Palace of Justice in central Paris was “very nice” the accused were “treated like dogs,” AFP reports.
“You should treat us like human beings,” quoted BFMTV.
When asked about his name, the French of Moroccan origins took off his mask and uttered: “I want to testify that there is no god except Allah and that Mohammed is his servant.” To state his profession, he added: “I gave up my job to become an Islamic State soldier.”
The following months will be marked by one of the most colossal trials held in France, with 140 days of hearing including 330 lawyers, 300 victims and the testimonies of former France president François Hollande who ruled during the attacks.
Out of 20 who are charged , 11 defendants are already in jail while 6 will be tried in absentia – most of them are believed to be dead.
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