The trial of the Strasbourg market attack will open in February 2024 before the specially composed Assize Court of Paris. It will be held over five weeks.
The trial of the Strasbourg market attack will open in February 2024 before the specially composed Assize Court of Paris, reveal The Latest News from Alsace.
A little more than five years after the deadly attack by Cherif Chekatt, who killed five men and injured eleven visitors with a revolver and a knife in the middle of the Christmas market in Strasbourg in December 2018, five people will be heard from February 29 to 5 April 2024.
Friend and former detainee of assailant fired for terrorist qualifications
In December 2022, the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat) had requested the referral of these five men to the special Assize Court of Paris, competent to rule on crimes committed in the field of terrorism, by retaining terrorist qualifications only against Audrey Mondjehi.
The accused, friend and former fellow prisoner of the assailant, is expelled for terrorist criminal association and complicity in assassinations and complicity in attempted assassinations, in particular on persons holding public authority, all in relation to a company terrorist.
The 42-year-old man, of Ivorian nationality, is suspected of having assisted Cherif Chekatt, in particular by allowing him to obtain the weapon used during the attack. He was imprisoned in December 2018. He is still imprisoned and will be presented under escort before the special assize court in Paris.
The other four defendants, aged 32, 36, 37 and 82, have been placed under judicial supervision and will therefore appear free. The Pnat dismissed them for criminal association with a view to preparing one or more crimes. However, the terrorist qualification was not retained, AFP had learned from a judicial source. They are accused of having allowed, to varying degrees, the supply of a weapon used by the assailant during the attack.
Attacker killed by police
On December 11, 2018, a little before 8 p.m., Chérik Chekatt, a 29-year-old repeat offender and S file for Islamist radicalization, entered the historic center of Strasbourg where the traditional Christmas market is held. Armed with a knife and an old revolver, the man had randomly killed five men while wandering the streets. Eleven people were also injured.
After the attack, Chérik Chekatt, injured by soldiers, managed to escape by getting into a taxi. He was killed 48 hours later by the police in a southern district of Strasbourg where he grew up. Investigators then discovered a video of allegiance to the Islamic State group on his USB key.
About sixty civil parties
According to the DNA, more than sixty civil parties will testify before the specially composed assize court. They will be represented at the hearing by around fifteen lawyers. Three victims’ associations will also be present.
Audrey Mondjehi faces life imprisonment. The other four defendants face up to 10 years in prison.
2023-05-25 10:30:48
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