Salah Abdeslam insisted on Monday that he was unfairly tried, and a victim of the media during his final remarks to the court in charge of trying the men accused of the 22 March 2016 terror attacks in Brussels.
Abdeslam, recognised as a co-author of the attacks, said in his remarks to the Brussels Assise Court that he had been unaware of what was being prepared and claimed that it was the media coverage of his trial that had led the jury to find him guilty.
“To begin with, I would like to address the victims: do not believe everything you’ve been told in the media," said the defendant, now aged 34. "Me, I had empathy for you, I thought about you, I questioned myself.”
'I was an ordinary guy'
Salah Abdeslam then made a point of explaining the path that had led him to join the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group. “At first, I had an ordinary life, I was an ordinary guy. I had a loving family, a job, I was getting married," he said. "Then I saw my neighbourhood emptying out. People were leaving for Syria. Some were not coming back and those who did were telling people what was happening over there.
"At that point I became a little more interested in the conflict. I learnt about the existence of ISIS, I learnt that they were fighting to establish Sharia law on their territory and I knew that the law of my lord is perfect and that only he is worthy of judging, so I agreed with that. I agreed, but I stayed home anyway.”
“At that time, ISIS was not in conflict with Europe, but our leaders made decisions. They knew that if they got involved there would be consequences and they took the risk anyway. You know what happened next,” Abdeslam said.
“I took part in 13 November, in (the shooting on the rue du) Dries. I said what I did and what I didn’t do. Here, I told you that you are not my victims, perhaps I was clumsy,” he continued, “but I did not take part in 22 March, I did not know about the project. They said Belkaid and Ayari had nothing to do with 22 March, but Abdeslam did. I’m being subjected to legal harassment.”
'I do not agree with your verdict'
Abdeslam also focused on the decision by the jury to him guilty.
“I do not agree with your verdict," he said. Should I blame you? The question arises,” he said. “But you are not professional judges. To err is human and I am Salah Abdeslam. You have sentenced someone who did not deserve it. What I want is to be judged like everyone else. I ask you to be fair in this latest decision.”
“I’ve been in prison since I was 26, I’m now 34. The years go by. You question yourself. You try to be better, but they don’t want to give me a chance, to help me in that direction,” he added. "When I talk about human rights, it seems out of place. When I ask for something that is my right, it's upsetting.”
He concluded with a few words for the victims and their families: “I do not know how I could console you, help you. I do not have the words for you. I have explained to you what is in my heart (…). I hope that what I have said will help you a little in your reconstruction process."
