Throughout the investigation, he had remained silent. But this Monday, September 25, 2023, before the Paris Assize Court before which he has been appearing for three weeks in the company of five members of his family, the 51-year-old man spoke at length.
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For the first time, Rédoine Faïd explained about his spectacular helicopter escape from prison de Réau, in July 2018. The second of his life. Standing in his box, the accused is inexhaustible. He describes at length the “ Genesis » of his escape, his conditions of detention « extreme “. So in order not to go crazy or commit suicide, he begins to plan his escape. His goal: to leave without shedding a drop of blood.
The robber is inspired by other criminals who have made themselves beautiful. “ I merge all these operating methods and I add my personal touch », boasts Rédoine Faïd. For this escape “ sophisticated » as he proudly says – which required several rehearsals – the repeat robber can count on friends on the outside, former associates never arrested, his “ guys safe » as he calls them.
Read alsoEscape of Rédoine Faïd: “I am a freedom junkie,” says the robber during his trial
“ Safe guys »
He refuses to give their names: “ When I fall, I fall alone “, he said. The proof. He then sets about clearing his co-defendants, especially the members of his family, from whom he had to ask for help during his run, he explains, because the police threw all their indicators. “ They put pressure on them. Gotta see what happened », assures Rédoine Faïd.
He certainly asked for help from his big brother Rachid, sitting in the box and who admitted to having taken a pilot hostage to go get him. “ Building specialist », Rachid Faïd knows how to change a grinder disc in a flash, explains his brother. The other members of the commando are not in the box, also supports Rédoine Faïd.
His nephews – three are judged alongside him – he would never have called them: “ I don’t trust them “, he said. And regarding his brother Brahim, 63, with him in the visiting room at the time of the escape, Redoine assures that he was not involved. “ He’s the scariest in the world, he’s 200% clean », exclaims Rédoine Faïd. “ That’s why we chose it “.