Peter Cherif's Silence at Charlie Hebdo Trial Stuns Court
Peter Cherif's Controversial Presence
The veteran jihadist, Peter Cherif, who is being tried for his role in the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack, stated on September 17 that he would not express himself during the proceedings. At the start of the hearing, the presiding judge asked him to outline his life path, which should be central to the second day of the trial. “I do not wish to speak, Madam President,” Cherif replied after removing his surgical mask.
Background of Charges
On the first day of the trial, Cherif declared he did not recognize the facts presented against him. The 42-year-old jihadist is being tried in a special court for criminal terrorist association between 2011 and 2018, during which he was present in Yemen with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). He also faces charges of organized kidnapping in 2011 involving three French nationals. However, his potential involvement in the Charlie Hebdo massacre on January 7, 2015, remains the focal point of the trial.
- Claims of facilitating integration into AQAP
- Possible knowledge of attack plans
- Previous testimony during 2020 trial of the January 2015 attacks
Judges believe he helped one of the Kouachi brothers join AQAP and had knowledge of their mission to carry out an attack in France. During the previous trial related to the January 2015 attacks, which resulted in 17 deaths, he claimed to have had “nothing to do” with those assaults.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.