French Islamic State veteran Othman Garrido has told a Paris court he has abandoned jihadist ideology as he stands trial over his alleged involvement in executions in Syria.
Garrido, 32, is accused of participating in the public execution of two Iranian prisoners in 2015 and personally decapitating a third unidentified man.
He denies carrying out the third killing.
Garrido acknowledges joining Islamic State, fighting for the organisation and being present at a decapitation.
The prosecution case includes photographs recovered from a phone attributed to Garrido’s wife and provided to French investigators by the United States.
Images allegedly connect Garrido to the execution of the two Iranian prisoners.
The separate allegation that he personally decapitated an unidentified man relies on a photograph whose date and location have not been established and in which the masked subject cannot be conclusively identified.
Garrido returned to France in 2020.
He told the court that he has since distanced himself from jihadist ideology. Psychological and prison assessments cited in reporting have described a process of ideological “deconstruction”.
Garrido was previously sentenced in absentia in 2017 to 15 years in prison for joining Islamic State, fighting for the organisation and encouraging Muslims in France to commit violent acts.
His current trial opened in Paris on September 14.
Sources
- Le Monde – Othman Garrido tried over alleged participation in executions in Syria
- Euronews – Trial of former French jihadist opens in Paris
- The Brussels Times – Garrido tells court he has abandoned religious extremism
Join the Dissenting Citizen Newsletter
Independent news and commentary delivered directly to your inbox.
Breaking stories, analysis and commentary throughout the day.
Follow @VoxDissent →
