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French judges to question Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam refuses to speak in French court
(about 3 hours later)
French anti-terror judges are due to question Salah Abdeslam, the Paris attacks suspect, for the first first time. The man prosecutors believe is the sole survivor of the group that attacked Paris in November has appeared in a French court for the first time, but refused to speak.
The 26-year-old arrived early on Friday morning for interrogation in central Paris, escorted by military police, elite police units and a helicopter. Salah Abdeslam was flown by helicopter, under armed guard, to the heart of Paris from his cell in a high-security prison outside the city, but the hearing was cut short after it became clear he would not talk.
“From the start he made clear he would be exercising his right to silence, refusing to respond to questions from the judge,” a spokesman from the prosecutor’s office said in a text message to Reuters.
Authorities hope Abdeslam will be able to shed light on the operational details of the Paris attacks, which left 130 dead in November, as well as provide clues as to whether other cell members are still at large.Authorities hope Abdeslam will be able to shed light on the operational details of the Paris attacks, which left 130 dead in November, as well as provide clues as to whether other cell members are still at large.
For months, Abdeslam was the most wanted fugitive in Europe until he was tracked down and arrested on 18 March in the Brussels neighbourhood of Molenbeek, where he grew up.For months, Abdeslam was the most wanted fugitive in Europe until he was tracked down and arrested on 18 March in the Brussels neighbourhood of Molenbeek, where he grew up.
Transferred to France under high security on 27 April, he has since been held at Fleury-Mérogis prison, south-east of Paris.Transferred to France under high security on 27 April, he has since been held at Fleury-Mérogis prison, south-east of Paris.
A childhood friend of suspected ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud, Abdeslam is thought to have played a key role on the night of the attacks on 13 November and in their preparation.A childhood friend of suspected ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud, Abdeslam is thought to have played a key role on the night of the attacks on 13 November and in their preparation.
Two others have been arrested in France in connection with the attacks, but they are considered secondary participants.Two others have been arrested in France in connection with the attacks, but they are considered secondary participants.
Abdeslam allegedly played a key role, dropping off the three suicide bombers who blew themselves up outside the Stade de France in northern Paris. Abdeslam allegedly dropped off the three suicide bombers who blew themselves up outside the national stadium, the Stade de France, in northern Paris.
He is thought to have backed out of blowing himself up. Authorities found an abandoned explosives vest in a southern district of Paris, close to where mobile phone data placed him on the night of the attacks.He is thought to have backed out of blowing himself up. Authorities found an abandoned explosives vest in a southern district of Paris, close to where mobile phone data placed him on the night of the attacks.
CCTV pictures from petrol stations showed him fleeing back to Belgium after two friends came to pick him up.CCTV pictures from petrol stations showed him fleeing back to Belgium after two friends came to pick him up.
He also allegedly played a critical role in the build-up to the attacks, renting the cars and hideouts used by the gang and transported several other jihadis around Europe in the preceding months, including Najim Laachraoui – the suspected bombmaker for the November attacks who was killed in a suicide bombing in Brussels on 22 March. He also allegedly played a critical role in the build-up to the attacks, renting the cars and hideouts used by the gang and transporting several other jihadis around Europe in the preceding months, including Najim Laachraoui – the suspected bombmaker for the November attacks who died in a suicide bombing in Brussels on 22 March.
The coordinated attacks on the airport and a train station in Brussels that day killed 32 people.The coordinated attacks on the airport and a train station in Brussels that day killed 32 people.
French police hope Abdeslam could also shine a light on the links between the attacks in Paris and Belgium, both carried out by a network linked to Isis.French police hope Abdeslam could also shine a light on the links between the attacks in Paris and Belgium, both carried out by a network linked to Isis.
Frank Berton, representing Abdeslam, told AFP that he “wants to explain himself”. But few expect any major revelations.Frank Berton, representing Abdeslam, told AFP that he “wants to explain himself”. But few expect any major revelations.
“The investigators have only him in custody. He could help if he collaborates, either to confirm elements of the investigation, or to give fresh leads,” said Gérard Chemla, a lawyer representing 50 of the Paris victims and their families.“The investigators have only him in custody. He could help if he collaborates, either to confirm elements of the investigation, or to give fresh leads,” said Gérard Chemla, a lawyer representing 50 of the Paris victims and their families.
“However, we should not hang on his every word and wait for any sensational revelations,” added Chemla, pointing out that the police have already done much of the vital work in dismantling the network. “However, we should not hang on his every word and wait for any sensational revelations,” added Chemla, pointing out that the police had already done much of the vital work in dismantling the network.
“The first interviews are often about denials. We should maybe leave the process to unfold for a while,” added Jean Reinhart, another lawyer representing some of the victims.“The first interviews are often about denials. We should maybe leave the process to unfold for a while,” added Jean Reinhart, another lawyer representing some of the victims.
Reinhart said he was not expecting repentance or any “great sincerity” from the suspect.Reinhart said he was not expecting repentance or any “great sincerity” from the suspect.
Sven Mary, who represented Abdeslam before his extradition to France, has described him as a “little idiot” with the “intelligence of an empty ashtray”.Sven Mary, who represented Abdeslam before his extradition to France, has described him as a “little idiot” with the “intelligence of an empty ashtray”.
Mary also said Abdeslam was “more of a follower than a leader”, though some have argued he may be putting on an act to lessen his responsibility.Mary also said Abdeslam was “more of a follower than a leader”, though some have argued he may be putting on an act to lessen his responsibility.
In his two interrogations in Belgium, Abdeslam gave the impression he was merely a pawn of Abaaoud and his own brother Brahim, who blew himself up outside a Paris cafe.In his two interrogations in Belgium, Abdeslam gave the impression he was merely a pawn of Abaaoud and his own brother Brahim, who blew himself up outside a Paris cafe.
But he was caught lying when he said he had met Abaaoud only once before, when in fact they had a record of teenage delinquency together in Molenbeek.But he was caught lying when he said he had met Abaaoud only once before, when in fact they had a record of teenage delinquency together in Molenbeek.