On June 13, 2016, a couple of police officers were murdered in their home by Larossi Abbala, in the presence of their three-year-old sons. This 25-year-old man, killed during the raid, claimed responsibility for the attack live on social networks, claiming to be from the Islamic State. Seven years after this attack, the trial of a childhood friend of Abballa, Mohamed Lamine Aberouz, opened this Monday, September 25.
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“ I reiterate my strongest condemnations against Larossi Aballa for this monstrous act he committed “, asserted Mohamed Lamine Aberouz, 30 years. “ I express my compassion to the family of the victims. Their search for truth is logical. I hope to participate. I hope to be listened to. I reiterate my innocence », he added at the start of his trial scheduled until October 10.
To shed light on the personality of the accused, the Special Assize Court of Paris notably heard two young women: his former fiancée and his current wife. The first, Sarah and her long black hair, testifies from prison where she is serving 20 years for terrorism.
The second, Janna and her long blue veil, has just been released after seven years of detention for having prepared a terrorist attack. In spring 2016, it was Larossi Aballa who put Sarah in touch with Mohamed Lamine Aberouz. They chat on the internet, consider marriage, but never meet before being arrested. “ With Larossi, we were set on a departure in Syria. Mohamed, that wasn’t his thing at all. Our conversations revolved around religion and adjusting to living in France », Explains Sarah, the ex-promote of the accused, who assures “ if I had followed Mohamed’s advice, I would not be in prison “.
“ Can I count on your support until the end? »
The accused is “ calm, helpful “, said Sarah. It was also she who put him in contact with Janna, in 2019. Veiled from head to toe in a duck blue jilbab, hands on hips, she responds sharply to the court before which she refused to lend oath. Janna, 25, supports “ I didn’t wait for Mohamed to be what you call ‘radicalized’ “.
“ The temptation of the accusation is to use you as a mirror of our client “, warns the defense before attempting: “ Have you evolved from the way you saw armed jihad at the time? ” Answer : “ Before, I was ready to take violent action to reciprocate those who wanted to kill my Muslim brothers and sisters. Today I know that in my religion I am a woman, so I don’t have to fight “. The accused, who married Janna religiously two years ago while they were both in detention, but sees her for the first time, asks to ask a question, which becomes a declaration of love. “ Can I count on your support until the end? », asks the one who risks life imprisonment. Moved by his yes, he adds “ you know how much I love you, I hope the best is to come. »
Life imprisonment
Did the couple’s killer act alone? That’s what the trial is all about. The prosecution is convinced that he had an accomplice in the house. It was Mohamed Lamine Aberouz who “ designated » the couple of police officers « as target of the attack », Supports the general prosecutor’s office.
Traces of Mohamed Lamine Aberouz’s DNA were found on the wrist rest of the couple’s computer used in the assassination claim. Apart from these DNA traces, no other tangible proof of his presence on the scene could be established, argue his lawyers Vincent Brengarth and Nino Arnaud. They intend to plead for acquittal. According to them, Larossi Abballa was a “ lone wolf » who didn’t need an accomplice.
Prosecuted for complicity in the assassination of a person holding public authority, criminal terrorist association and complicity in kidnapping in relation to a terrorist enterprise, Mohamed Lamine Aberouz faces life imprisonment.
(And with AFP)
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