At the trial of the assassination of Samuel Paty, the lawyers of Brahim Chnina and Abdelhakim Sefrioui undermine the prosecution’s theory

The main issue in the trial for the assassination of Samuel Paty lies in the fate that the Paris Special Assize Court will reserve for a duo of accused whose destinies are inextricably intertwined. Brahim Chnina and Abdelhakim Sefrioui did not know each other before October 7, 2020. From that date, and until the death of Samuel Paty, nine days later, they nevertheless embarked on an online smear campaign which will designate the teacher as a target for a third man they did not know, Abdoullakh Anzorov, the murderer of the history and geography professor.

Since the start of the trial, the two men have lived together in the accused box. Everything opposes them a priori. Brahim Chnina, the father of the schoolgirl whose lie triggered the tragedy, is described as a helpful and generous man, practicing moderate Islam and who dedicated his life to helping people with disabilities. Conversely, Abdelhakim Sefrioui has a sulphurous reputation as an obsessive Islamist agitator and tyrannical father.

During these six weeks of debate, the first remained prostrate, extinguished, ” crushed “, according to one of his lawyers, M^e Louise Tort, by the immensity of the crime with which she is accused. He is now 52 years old, but after four years in pre-trial detention, he looks twenty years older. At his side, Abdelhakim Sefrioui, 65, tireless quibbler, inexhaustible note-taker, resembles an eternal top that would collapse on itself if it stopped spinning.

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