Salah Abdeslam, the main accused in the maxi-trial for the jihadist massacres in Paris in 2015 and the only survivor of the commandos that killed 130 people, came out of silence to reiterate that on the evening of the attacks he gave up killing.
Shortly before, on the occasion of the interrogation in the courtroom on his movements on the evening of that November 13, Abdeslam had chosen to resort to the "right not to answer".
"I didn't go all the way. I gave up activating my (explosive) belt not out of cowardice, not out of fear, but because I didn't want to, that's all," said Abdeslam in response to a question from civil lawyer, Claire. Josserand-Schmidt, on the occasion of the maxi-trial.
For about two hours, in the courtroom, the only surviving member of the terrorist commandos had refused to answer questions from the Court, the prosecution, and the other lawyers present.
However, Claire Josserand-Schmidt managed to get him out of silence, reminding the main defendant of the "promise" he expressed in a previous interrogation to provide explanations.
"The civil parties - the woman pointed out - do not ask her questions to frame her, but to try to understand, to try to understand her".
Saying first of all "sorry", Abdeslam then agreed to "answer a few questions".
The lawyer questioned him, in particular, about his previous statements in February, when he hinted that he had "reversed" by giving up activating the explosive belt on that tragic Parisian night.
Version confirmed today by the 32-year-old Frenchman.
But then why did he tell his loved ones that the belt misfired?
Was it a lie?
"Yes, that's it", Abdeslam replies laconically, adding: "I was ashamed of not having gone all the way. I was simply afraid of the gaze of others (jihadists, ed)".
One last line before entrenching himself in silence again.