The trial of alleged accomplices in the November 2015 Paris attack has begun in Belgium. Nine of the 14 defendants appeared in court in Brussels today. Two others are believed to have died in Syria. Most defendants face charges of “participating in the activities of a terrorist organization”, which can result in several years in prison.
The trial, which is scheduled to last until May 20, is taking place under high security at the former NATO headquarters near Brussels airport. The verdict is expected before the end of June.
The alleged accomplices would have supported the attackers before or after the attacks in the French capital, mainly from Belgium, serving as drivers, providing accommodation or obtaining false documents. Some of the suspects are also linked to the March 2016 attacks in Brussels, which killed 32 people.
On November 13, 2015, Islamic terrorist commandos killed a total of 130 people and wounded around 350 others in Paris. The attacks took place at the Bataclan concert hall, opposite cafes and restaurants in the city center and close to the football stadium in the Saint-Denis district. France played Germany that night.