French court charges Abdeslam over Paris attacks

PanARMENIAN.Net - A French court on Wednesday, April 27 charged Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam over his role in the November 2015 carnage that left 130 dead, just hours after his extradition from Belgium, AFP reports.

Abdeslam, a French national of Moroccan origin who grew up in Belgium, is believed to be the last surviving member of a terror squad that hit cafes, a concert hall and the national stadium in Paris on November 13.

More than a month after his capture in Belgium, Abdeslam was brought to France by helicopter early on Wednesday where he was formally placed under arrest before being swept off to the main Paris court, where he spent several hours.

His lawyer Frank Berton said that investigating judges charged him with murder, association with a terrorist group, possession of weapons and explosives as well as sequestration over the hostage-taking at the Bataclan concert hall where 90 were killed.

Berton said his client was not interrogated at length, AFP reports.

"He explained to judges that in light of the hour he was removed from the jail (in Belgium) this morning, he prefers to explain himself later, but insisted that he will explain himself," said Berton.

Another hearing has been set for May 20, the veteran lawyer said, adding that his client was being held in the sprawling Fleury-Merogis prison complex outside of Paris.

Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas said the suspect would be placed in isolation and monitored by "hardened guards" skilled in handling dangerous detainees.