Brussels Attacks: Key Suspects Abdeslam and Abrini Face Trial as Others May Be Dismissed

Only four of the 13 defendants appeared on Monday before the indictment chamber, reports RTL Info. The two main ones, Salah Abdeslam and Mohamed Abrini, are represented by their main lawyers, including Sven Mary. Brahim Tabich and Youssef El Ajmi are about to benefit from a dismissal. The Farisi brothers, Smail and Ibrahim, as well. A fifth, not present, could also benefit from it, as he has been completely cleared for several years. "In any case, it will take less time and then the penalty rate is completely different and I think we will be better heard," rejoices Xavier Carette, Ibrahim Farisi’s lawyer.

In total, five defendants should benefit from a dismissal. The federal prosecutor’s office wishes that the other eight defendants be referred to the Assize Court for murders and attempted murders in a terrorist context, as well as for membership in a terrorist group. Their names are Salah Abdeslam, Oussama Atar (who would have died in Syria in November 2017), Mohamed Abrini, Sofien Ayari, Osama Krayem, Ali El Haddad Asufi, Bilal El Makhoukhi and Hervé Bayingana Muhirwa.

It remains to be seen whether these acts of terrorism will be tried by a popular jury or by professional judges. "It’s a political question that the politicians have always refused to deal with for so many years. The politicians seem to have discovered for 4 years that there would be a major trial in this case. And it’s a way on which I’m very bitter about the way the politicians have handled this case," comments Adrien Masset, lawyer for civil parties and professor of criminal law.