France: Extremist Leader Gets 9 Years for Terrorism
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Version 0 of 1. The chief of a dismantled radical network in France was sentenced Friday to nine years in prison for recruiting for jihad, plotting attacks against Jewish sites and praising terrorism. The relatively severe verdict comes as the country is trying to prevent extremist violence by angry, marginalized Muslims. A Paris court convicted Mohamed Achamlane, 37, the self-proclaimed emir of the Forsane Alizza group, of terrorism charges. Mr. Achamlane, a Frenchman, was accused of plotting attacks on kosher markets and other Jewish businesses in Paris; abducting and torturing a Jewish judge in Lyon; and threatening France, according to court documents. Thirteen others, who like Mr. Achamlane were convicted of criminal association with a terrorist enterprise, were sentenced to up to six years in prison. The lone female defendant in the case was given a suspended 12-month sentence. During the trial, Mr. Achamlane said he created Forsane Alizza, or Knights of Pride, in 2010 to counter growing anti-Muslim feelings in France and claimed a desire to lead young Muslims away from violence. |