Paris attacks suspect 'radicalised' since arrest: lawyer

Image
AFP The Hague
Last Updated : Nov 12 2016 | 8:22 PM IST
The main Paris attacks suspect, Salah Abdeslam, has become even more radicalised since being imprisoned for his presumed role in the slaughter of 130 people a year ago, his former lawyer has said.
"He's got a beard, he's become a true fundamentalist whereas before he was a kid wearing Nike trainers," Belgian lawyer Sven Mary told Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant's Saturday edition.
Belgian-born French national Abdeslam is believed to be the only jihadist survivor of the November 13 attacks in the French capital that Belgian authorities claim were orchestrated by the Islamic State high command.
After four months on the run, the 27-year-old of Moroccan origin was arrested in Brussels in March and subsequently transferred to France in April.
Lawyer Mary said Abdeslam's detention conditions at a prison in the Parisian suburb of Fleury-Merogis amounted to "psychological torture" and had contributed to his apparent radicalisation.
He is kept in solitary confinement and subjected to round-the-clock video surveillance.
Abdeslam is accused of having provided logistical support to the seven jihadists who died at the various scenes of the terror attacks: the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France national stadium and several bars and restaurants in central Paris.
In July, his lawyers had attempted unsuccessfully to end the constant surveillance, but authorities had deemed the "exceptional character of terrorist acts" as justifying that "all precautions are taken".
Last month both Mary and another lawyer, Frank Berton, gave up defending Abdeslam over his refusal to answer investigators' questions since being transferred to France.
Mary said then that the lawyers felt they were doing nothing more than paying "social visits to the prison" and had decided to quit the defence.
Abdeslam's brother Mohamed last month urged him to speak to French authorities but also said he felt Salah "is more radicalised now, rather than de-radicalised".

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 12 2016 | 8:22 PM IST

Next Story