During a trial in Paris, the public prosecutor requested a 30-year prison sentence for Audrey Mondjehi, the main accused in the Strasbourg Christmas market attack. The Parquet National Antiterroriste (PNAT) painted a damning portrayal of Mondjehi, highlighting his previous criminal convictions and lack of remorse. Mondjehi, a rapper and repeat offender, is accused of supplying weapons to his neighborhood friend and terrorist, Chérif Chekatt, who used one of these weapons to kill five people in December 2018.
The key question in the trial was whether Mondjehi was aware of Chekatt’s radicalization and his plan to carry out an attack, which would determine the charges against him. The prosecution argued that Mondjehi was actively involved in providing Chekatt with weapons, demonstrating his knowledge and complicity in the terrorist acts. They presented evidence showing Mondjehi’s involvement in supplying various arms to Chekatt in the months leading up to the attack, including a faulty Kalashnikov, a revolver, a grenade, and the pistol used in the killings.
Mondjehi claims he was unaware of Chekatt’s radicalization and spent time with him casually, without discussing any specific plans for violence. However, the prosecution disputed this, citing Chekatt’s open expression of extremist views to his close circle and their refusal to assist him in acquiring weapons. The trial focused on proving Mondjehi’s knowledge of Chekatt’s intentions and his active role in facilitating the attack, with the prosecution presenting a strong case for both charges of terrorist association and complicity in terrorist murders.
The prosecution’s argument unfolded in a methodical and relentless manner over the course of six hours, emphasizing Mondjehi’s culpability and lack of remorse. Despite Mondjehi’s defense that he was not aware of Chekatt’s radicalization, the prosecution pushed back, insisting on his intimate involvement in providing the weapons used in the attack. The trial underscored the importance of understanding the extent of Mondjehi’s knowledge and participation in the terrorist plot, shedding light on the complexity and severity of his involvement.
Overall, the trial revealed the intricate web of connections and responsibilities linking Mondjehi to the terrorist act, highlighting the gravity of his actions and their consequences. The prosecution’s case provided a comprehensive overview of Mondjehi’s role in supplying weapons to Chekatt and the implications of his involvement in the attack. As the trial concluded, the demand for a 30-year prison sentence reflected the seriousness of Mondjehi’s crimes and the need for justice to be served in a case of such magnitude and significance.
