2. In the visiting room

After receiving a first letter, Me Olivia Ronen decides to go meet Salah Abdeslam in the isolation unit of the Fleury-Mérogis remand center. She doesn't warn anyone and therefore no one expects her. When the inmate appears at the door of the visiting room, the lawyer senses that something important is going to happen. When he takes his place in front of her, Ms. Olivia Ronen asks him the same questions as all the detainees she meets. At this point, she wants to know what Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving member of the terrorist commandos from the attacks of November 13, 2015, wishes to share about him and the file. But in reality, the main thing for her is first to establish contact with the man who until now had not agreed to speak to any magistrate and who did not wish to be defended by any lawyer. What bond will be formed between them? In this small room that is the visiting room, the challenge ultimately for Olivia Ronen is to gauge whether or not she will be able to work in the defense of Salah Abdeslam. As a lawyer, Olivia Ronen does not want to know the truth at all costs but above all she wishes to perceive "sincerity" in the detainee's words. Will she get these items? When she leaves the prison after a long interview, Olivia Ronen is upset. She is sure, certain elements of this interview make her want to work on this file. But does she have enough legitimacy to provide such a defense, having only had a few years at the bar? What direction will her career take if she accepts? Me Olivia Ronen recounts this first meeting with Salah Abdeslam and this day when she decided to defend himself at 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