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Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Belgium: 2016 Terror Attack Trial Reaches Verdicts



The 7-month trial in Brussels of ten Muslims accused of the terrorist attacks in Brussels in 2016 has ended in a verdict. The two main defendants, Salah Abdeslam and Mohamed Abrini, were convicted of the most serious charges of murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context and are facing life imprisonment. All of the other defendants were also convicted of various charges with the exception of two brothers, who were acquitted. Most of these defendants were also involved in the 2015 terror attacks in Paris. 

The below article from the Dutch-language daily (Belgium), HLN, is translated by Fousesquawk.

 https://www.hln.be/binnenland/overzicht-na-zeven-maanden-is-verdict-terreurproces-eindelijk-bekend-wie-is-schuldig-bevonden-en-wie-niet~aed5a25a/

Overview: After 7 months the verdict in the terror trial is finally known: Who is guilty and who is not?

On Tuesday, the verdict in the trial of the terror attacks has finally come down. The ten suspects, including Salah Abdeslam and Mohamed Abrini, stood trial for the attacks on the Zaventam (Brussels) Airport and the metro in Maalbeek (Brussels) on 22 March 2016. But who, precisely, has now been found guilty, and who has not? An overview. 

July 25, 2023 at 21:20. Last update 00:16


Caption: Terrorists, Salah Abdeslam, Osama Krayem, and Mohamed Abrini

(Above video)

Watch: Six of ten suspects, including Abdeslam and Abrini, found guilty of terrorist murder 

1. Salah Abdeslam

Abdeslam is found guilty as co-perpetrator in murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context. He is also found guilty of participating in the activities of a terrorist organization. The Special Criminal Court in Paris has already sentenced him to life imprisonment for the 13 November 2015 attacks. He is also sentenced to imprisonment of 20 years for the shooting on the Dreesstaat (street) in Vorst. Now he is facing another term of life imprisonment.

2. Mohamed Abrini

Abrini, also known as "the man with the hood," is found guilty of murder, attempted murder in a terrorist context, and participating in the activities of a terror group. Abrini is facing life imprisonment. He also received a life sentence in the trial for the attacks in Paris.

3. Osama Krayem

The criminal court also found Osama Krayem guilty of murder, attempted murder in a terrorist context, and participating in the activities of a terrorist group. He is also facing life imprisonment. In the trial of the attacks in Paris, he was sentenced to 30 years.

4. Ali El Haddad Asufi

El Haddad  Asufi is found guilty of murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context.  The court also convicted him for participating in the activities of a terror group. He is facing life imprisonment. In 2018, he was placed under electronic monitoring, but that decision was never implemented, and in 2019, he was extradited to France. For the Paris attacks, he was sentenced to 10 years.

5. Oussama Atar

Atar, who stood trial in absentia, is found guilty of murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context. He is also convicted as a leader of a terrorist group. Atar is facing life imprisonment in absentia. For the attacks in Paris, he is also sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment.

6. Bilal El Makhoukhi

El Makhoukhi is convicted as a co-perpetrator of murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context. The court also found him guilty of participating in the activities of a terror group. He is facing life in prison. 

7. Sofian Ayari

Sofien Ayari is acquitted of murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context. The court found him guilty of participating in the activities of a terrorist organization. Ayari is facing 10 years imprisonment. For the attacks in Paris, he received a sentence of 30 years, of which he must serve at least two-thirds. Ayari also received 20 years for the shooting in Voorst.

8. Herve Bayingana Muhirwa

Bayingana is only found guilty of participating in the activities of a terrorist organization. He is thus, acquitted of murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context. Bayingana Muhirwa is facing a maximum 10 years in prison.

9. Smail Farisi

Smail Farisi is acquitted of murder and attempted murder in a terrorist context, as well as participating in the activities of a terrorist organization.

10. Ibrahim Farisi

Ibrahim Farisi, the brother of Smail, who only stood trial for participating in a terrorist organization, is acquitted. 





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