France: Man gets 30 Years for His Part in 2018 Strasbourg Christmas Market Attack

The below article by France Bleu is translated by Fousesquawk.

https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/faits-divers-justice/proces-de-l-attentat-de-strasbourg-condamne-a-30-ans-audrey-mondjehi-fait-appel-4721884

Strasbourg attack trial: Sentenced to 30 years, Audrey Mondjehi is appealing. 

The day after the verdict pronounced by the Special Criminal Court of Paris in the Strasbourg attack trial, the lawyer for Audrey Mondjehi announced his intention to appeal Friday.

Friday, April 5, 2024 at 16:31

Caption: The Special Criminal Court of  Paris that handles terrorist matters

Audrey Mondjehi will file an appeal of the verdict that was handed down Thursday by the Special Criminal Court of Paris, one of this lawyers, Attorney Michael Wacquez, indicated Friday when asked by France Bleu Alsace. Audrey Mondjehi was found guilty of association with terrorist criminals in the trial of the attack on the Christmas Market of Strasbourg in 2018 and condemned to 30 years imprisonment.

“He doesn’t understand the extraordinary treatment reserved for him.”

“We cannot be content with an acquittal on  (the charge) of complicity in murder and, at the same time, a guilty heavy sentence for association with terrorist criminals,” stated Attorney Wacquez. ” There is a particular context, the Olympic games that are coming; we are on attack alert, Cherif Chekatt is no longer here, and the empty chair can leave a bitter taste at the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office. A conviction is, perhaps, necessary, and Audrey Mondjehi has been designated as guilty.” 

“He does not understand the extraordinary treatment reserved for him. He has never been directly or indirectly involved in any religious act. He does not understand why the Special Criminal Court finds that the connections he had with Cherif Chekatt would necessarily result in the knowledge of a terrorist plan against the Christmas Market.”

The attack by revolver and knife, perpetrated on December 11, 2018 by Cherif Chekatt, resulted in 4 deaths and 11 injuries at the Strasbourg Christmas Market. The perpetrator of the acts was killed by police two days later.

Two other defendants, found guilty of common law criminal association were sentenced to 5 years in prison. They will not return to detention because either the sentence is covered by time served in pre-trial detention, or, for the other, because she will  (wear) an electronic bracelet. A 4th defendant was acquitted.

By Celine Rousseau

France Bleu