1. The letter

In August 2018, Olivia Ronen, a young 28-year-old criminal lawyer, received the scanned version of a mysterious letter. Olivia Ronen is used to letters from prison, it's her job. However, this one was not sent by an inmate like the others. The paper is signed with the name of the most monitored detainee in Europe at that time: Salah Abdeslam, the last member still alive of the commando of the attacks of November 13, 2015. He wishes to meet her. How did Salah Abdeslam hear about her? Why did he choose her for his defense? To answer these questions, the lawyer decides to take the bus towards Fleury-Mérogis prison, in order to meet the man who, perhaps, will be her future client. When she arrived at the remand center, Ms. Olivia did not warn anyone. The atmosphere is heavy, the clicking of locks resonates between the walls and the staff rush around her. There is boiling in the isolation section of Fleury-Mérogis prison. A technician enters the visiting room, then comes out. Doubts arise at Olivia Ronen: was the room bugged? However, more is needed to destabilize the lawyer. After a few minutes of waiting, the door to the visiting room opens, it is Salah Abdeslam. Will Olivia Ronen agree to defend such a case? Me Olivia Ronen tells her story for the very first time, that of the lawyer who chose to defend Salah Abdeslam, on the microphone of Noémie Schulz, legal journalist.

The podcast “The terrorist” is produced by Europe 1 Studio.

[On June 29, 2022, Salah Abdeslam was convicted by the Paris Special Assize Court for his participation in the terrorist attacks of November 13, 2015. He did not appeal. His sentence, irreducible life imprisonment, is final. This podcast is therefore not intended to repeat the trial. It's about telling it from a unique point of view, that of Salah Abdeslam's lawyer, Me. Olivia Ronen.]

Credits

Journalist: Noémie Schulz

Director: Christophe Daviaud with Clément Ibrahim

Production: Fannie Rascle with Camille Bichler

Writing and distribution: Lisa Soster

Original Music: Sandy Lavallart

Musical Supervision: The Supervision

Visual: Sidonie Mangin with Axelle Maurel