The appeal trial of former Islamic State (IS) fighter Jonathan Geffroy, who presents himself as a "repentant" of jihadism, opened on Monday (January 15th) at the Special Assize Court in Paris. Jonathan Geffroy, who has changed his identity since his trial but does not want his new identity to be disclosed, is on trial alongside his ex-wife, Latifa Chadli, who is appearing free at the hearing.
At first instance, Jonathan Geffroy was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment. Latifa Chadli was sentenced to 5 years in prison, three of which were suspended. They are both on trial for terrorist conspiracy and abandonment of minors.
Repentant or opportunistic?
As in the first instance, the special assize court will have to determine whether Jonathan Geffroy, 41, is really a repentant jihadist as he claims or an "opportunist" who has "unreservedly adhered to the fighting of ISIS, including the attacks in Europe" as the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) claims.
Originally from Toulouse, Jonathan Geffroy converted to Islam at a young age, quickly becoming radicalized and making numerous trips to Egypt where he met Abdelkader Merah, the brother of Mohamed Merah who murdered three soldiers in 2012 in Toulouse and Montauban, as well as three Jewish children and a teacher.
He and Latifa Chadli went to Syria in February 2015 where they were immediately taken over by ISIS. The accused, who says he went to the area to do "humanitarian work", also fought in Ramadi, Iraq, in the ranks of the elite Tariq Ibn Zyad katiba, which included the Bataclan attackers. The trial is scheduled to last until Jan. 19.