Defense Challenges Terrorism Charges in Samuel Paty Trial

Lawyers for Brahim Chnina and Abdelhakim Sefrioui argue for acquittal, disputing claims of a coordinated association of malefactors with terrorist intent.

The defense contends that Brahim Chnina and Abdelhakim Sefrioui lacked knowledge of or involvement in the terrorist intent behind Samuel Paty's murder in 2020.
Prosecutors have sought 10 and 12 years of imprisonment for Chnina and Sefrioui, respectively, alleging their actions constituted a 'concerted and viral targeting' of Paty.
Defense lawyers argue that Chnina's video and messages were not disseminated to extremist networks and that Sefrioui's video was never seen by the perpetrator of the attack.
The defense highlights the absence of any direct or indirect connection between the accused and the attacker, Abdoullakh Anzorov, who acted independently.
The court's verdict, determining whether the charges of 'association of malefactors with terrorist intent' stand, is expected on Friday, December 20.