On the trial of the attacks of March 22, 2016, the public prosecutor’s hearing will begin on Tuesday, after a day off on Whit Monday. That will normally take five days.
Today begins the last straight line to the end of the trial, starting with the closing statement of federal prosecutors Paule Somers and Bernard Michel. Half a day is provided for each accused, so the progression of the sentences normally takes until Tuesday 6 June.
The requisitorial begins with a theoretical exposition. After that, one would go over accused by accused, starting with Oussama Atar, who is seen as the mastermind behind the attacks in Paris and Belgium and is being tried in absentia. He is believed to have died in Syria, but this has never been confirmed.
First, however, the last interrogations of the morality witnesses who did not show up must be read. The reading should have been completed last Thursday, but chairwoman Laurence Massart decided at a little after 11:30 p.m. that enough was enough. The testimonies of two of Sofien Ayari’s sisters may also follow, who must come from Tunisia and do not yet have a passport. If the administration is not completed in time, their interrogations are also read.
After the closing of the public prosecutor’s office, it is up to the civil parties, from Wednesday 7 June to Wednesday 14 June. Finally, from Thursday 15 June to Thursday 29 June, it will be the turn of the defense lawyers. The first week of July, chairwoman Laurence Massart will be available for the rejoinders and any last words. The intention is to consider the matter at the end of that week.
This article is originally published on bruzz.be
