France hostage taker wants Paris attack suspect freed

Abdeslam is the prime surviving suspect in the attacks that killed 130 people

PARIS: A hostage taker in southern France has asked for the release of Paris November 2015 attacker Salah Abdeslam, BFM TV said, citing an anonymous source.

Abdeslam is the prime surviving suspect in the attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

He refused to  to cooperate earlier on the first day of a trial in Belgium.

“I do not wish to answer any questions,” he told the judge, Marie-France Keutgen, when she asked if he would give evidence in a case in which he is accused of attempted murder of police in Brussels three days before his eventual arrest there.



“I was asked to come. I came,” said Abdeslam.

“I am accused, so I am here,” he said. “I will remain silent. That is a right which I have and my silence does not make me a criminal or guilty. That is my defence and I am defending myself by remaining silent.”

Sitting flanked by two armed and masked counter-terrorism policemen, his black hair and beard long, he added: “Let them base their case on forensic and tangible evidence, and not swagger about to satisfy public opinion.”

“What I notice is that Muslims are judged and treated in the worst kind of ways. They are judged without mercy. There is no presumption of innocence, there’s nothing.”

Citing the Muslim declaration of faith that “there is no god but God” and that Mohammad is his prophet, Abdeslam concluded: “Judge me. Do what you want with me. I put my trust in my Lord.”