“He used us to achieve his ends” – Libération

Azim Epsirkhanov, 23, was questioned about the facts this Wednesday, November 20. Accused of having helped the assailant in his quest for a weapon, he denied, for nearly ten hours, knowing of Anzorov's deadly ambitions.

Azim Epsirkhanov never wavered. For nearly ten hours, he remained stoic in his blue suit jacket, insisting that he was unaware of the radicalization of his childhood friend and assassin of Samuel Paty, Abdoullakh Anzorov, and his deadly plans. A version sometimes in reverse of his first statements in police custody or during the investigation. Faced with the specially composed Assize Court, the stakes of this Wednesday, November 20 were heavy for Azim Epsirkhanov: accused of having played an active role in the search for the assailant's weapons – in particular by accompanying him in a cutlery shop in downtown Rouen – the 23-year-old Chechen appears for complicity in terrorist assassination. He faces life imprisonment.

The paths of Epsirkhanov and Anzorov crossed at the Pablo-Neruda college in Evreux (Eure), as they entered sixth grade. Of Chechen origin and settled in the Madeleine district, they quickly became friends. From the moment they met, Azim Epsirkhanov said he was challenged by the Anzorovs' rigorous practice of Islam. The mother refuses hugs from men. She cannot go out without her husband or one of her sons. They do not listen to music; their father prohibits the use of headphones. Everyone must respect each prayer.