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Paris attacks suspect cries as he apologises to victims, asks for forgiveness

  • Salah Abdeslam is believed to be the sole surviving member of the group of Islamist militants that killed 130 people in the French capital in 2015
  • Among the 20 defendants facing trial for the attacks, he is the only one directly accused of murder, attempted murder and hostage taking

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Defendant Salah Abdeslam attends the Paris attacks trial in a temporary courtroom set up at the Palais de Justice courthouse in Paris on Thursday. Courtroom sketch: Benoit Peyrucq via AFP

Salah Abdeslam, believed to be the sole surviving member of the group of Islamist militants that killed 130 people in a night of gun and bomb attacks in Paris in 2015, apologised to the victims during his trial on Friday, French media reported.

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Investigators believe Abdeslam was part of the squad that assaulted six restaurants and bars, the Bataclan concert hall and the national soccer stadium.

Among the 20 defendants, he is the only one directly accused of murder, attempted murder and hostage taking.

He has denied the charges and is standing trial before a panel of judges.

French policemen stand in front of the Bataclan concert hall during a ceremony last year to pay tribute to victims on the anniversary of the November 13, 2015 terror attacks. Photo: TNS
French policemen stand in front of the Bataclan concert hall during a ceremony last year to pay tribute to victims on the anniversary of the November 13, 2015 terror attacks. Photo: TNS

“I want to present my condolences and my apologies to all the victims,” Abdeslam, 32, told the court in his final testimony, according to radio France Inter’s website.

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