Trial begins for 20 linked to Islamic State terror attacks in Paris

The main defendant in the case, Salah Abdeslam, told the court on Wednesday that he was a "soldier" of the Islamic State.
French gendarmerie stand close to the courtroom where the trial of the 2015 terror attack in Paris will take place, Sept. 7, 2021, at the Palais de Justice in Paris, France.
French gendarmerie stand close to the courtroom where the trial of the 2015 terror attack in Paris will take place, Sept. 7, 2021, at the Palais de Justice in Paris, France. In November 2015, three teams of jihadis launched a suicide bombing and gun assault on bars, restaurants and the Bataclan concert hall, killing 130. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, which were allegedly planned from Syria. - Siegfried Modola/Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

France on Wednesday opened the criminal trial of 20 people accused of involvement in the deadly Islamic State (IS) attacks in Paris that killed 130 people and injured more than 400 others nearly six years ago.

In what was the largest attack on French soil since World War II, nine gunmen and suicide bombers on Nov. 13, 2015, attacked the Bataclan music hall, a football stadium, and half a dozen bars and restaurants in the heart of Paris.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more