Ayoub El Khazzani

Articles

• Moroccan Terror Suspect: American Soldier’s Smile Thwarted Train Attack
  3 July 2019, by Kamal

  On August 21, 2015, on a train connecting Amsterdam to Paris, the Moroccan Ayoub El Khazzani had planned a terrorist attack, when he was neutralized by an American soldier named Spencer Stone. Four years after his arrest, he tells the investigating judge that a simple smile from him had prevented a massacre.
  Speaking by videoconference with the investigating judge, the Moroccan admitted that he was blocked by the smile of the American soldier, as he had prepared the attack in the train (…)

• Thalys Train Attack Reconstruction Begins, Key Suspect Present
  19 September 2019, by Bladi.net

  The reconstruction of the thwarted attack on the Thalys in 2015 was expected on Wednesday, September 18, at the request of the defense. It should begin in a train car made available to the justice system. For now, no details have been given on the exact location of this operation.
  To succeed, about fifteen witnesses present on the day of the attack in 2015 are expected on board the train, reports dna.fr. They will participate in this reconstruction alongside the defendant, Ayoub (…)

• Thalys Train Attacker Expresses Remorse at Paris Appeal Trial
  9 December 2022, by Ginette

  Tried on appeal by the special assize court in Paris, the Moroccan Ayoub El Khazzani, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the Thalys attack, says he is ashamed.
  "Do I regret what I did? How do you want me not to regret it. I shot a man I hit with a bullet in the back that came out near his neck. I was very lucky he didn’t die," Ayoub El Khazzani said on the last day of the appeal trial. "And all the victims I terrorized on that train, how do you want me not to regret (…)

• Thalys Train Attack Trial: Family Seeks Leniency for Moroccan Gunman
  2 December 2020, by Ginette

  Since Monday, four people, including Moroccan Ayoub El Khazzani, have appeared before the special assize court for their involvement in the attack on the Thalys train linking Paris to Amsterdam in August 2015. The Moroccan’s relatives are holding their breath and hope that justice will be lenient since there were only two injured.
  In 2015, at the time of the Thalys attack, Ayoub El Khazzani, who had opened fire inside the train, was only 26 years old. He is accused of "attempted murder in (…)