First day of hearing in the trial of the Brussels attacks

The president of the court Laurence Massart at the start of the trial for the attacks in Brussels, which took place on March 22, 2016, at the Justitia building in Brussels, on Monday December 5, 2022. via REUTERS - POOL

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

After a false start in September linked to the dock and then the draw of the jurors last week, the trial of the attacks of March 22, 2016 in Brussels has finally begun.

A very technical first day of hearing which suggests the length of this river trial which could last six to nine months.

The attacks at Zaventem airport and the Maelbeek metro station left 32 dead and 340 injured.

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With our correspondent in Brussels,

This first day of hearing was especially marked by the litany of the identification of the 960 civil parties, victims and their families essentially.

For six and a half years, some have died, others are there in the name of a close relative.

For all, it is an emotion to hear their name pronounced by the president of the court.

Pierre-Yves was blown away by the first explosion in the Zaventem air terminal at 7:58 a.m. on March 22, 2016. He was miraculously uninjured;

he was able to come to the aid of his immediate neighbours, but he still has trouble talking about it. 

I went through something very difficult.

Around me, people are dead;

people have lost loved ones, been injured, have absolutely irremediable physical consequences.

I really wanted to be present at the very beginning, like I think a lot of people.

It is obviously very impressive.

The security is impressive.

And then hey, it's the first time that we've really been in very, very close contact with the defendants.

So, there, we realize that we are indeed in the heart of the matter.   

Testimony of Pierre-Yves

Pierre Benazet

Again, hearing incidents punctuate the day, this time it is Mohamed Abrini who complains about the conditions of detention and threatens to remain silent if nothing is done.

The president continues the procedures, the trial is truly on track...

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