Process around attack Jewish Museum, Mehdi Nemmouche was sentenced to lifelong imprisonment

Mehdi Nemmouche, the hoofddader of the attack at the Jewish Museum on 24 may 2014, is today condemned to a lifelong imprisonment. In addition, he was a provision of 15 years in prison. This follows the court, the requirement of the public prosecutor. Mededader Nacer Bendrer was 15 years plus five years of posting. The jury and the court sat for 16 hours yesterday together to decide what penalties the two accused would get and talked until around midnight the punishment.

Both men were last Thursday found guilty of quadruple murder with a terrorist character. Both Nemmouche as Bendrer are also found guilty of illegal possession of firearms. The twelve members of the jury are therefore convinced that Nemmouche the man who on may 24, 2014 in the Jewish Museum of Belgium, the Israeli couple Emanuel (54) and Miriam Riva (53), and the museum staff Alexandre Strens (25) and Dominique Sabrier (66) doodschoot, and that Nacer Bendrer him the weapons provided.

“No mitigating circumstances for Nemmouche”

According to the court, there were Mehdi Nemmouche no mitigating circumstances are found. The man had, in the eyes of the court, although a difficult childhood, which undoubtedly had contributed to his first steps on the criminal path and to his radicalization, but that should not constitute a reason for the offences he committed.

“The attack was not only an attack on the Jewish community but also on the foundations of our society”, she said. “On our democracy and our values. During the whole research and the process he has only shown contempt towards the legal system, and he has tried to pretend to be a victim of that system, so to speak, not fair would work. His attitude also means a danger for the muslim community.”

When the penalty is held, the court also took into account the terrible violence that was used to four people cold-blooded to kill with a clear anti-semitic character of the attack, with the provocative and very manipulative attitude of Nemmouche, who, in addition, no compassion showed with his victims and himself in no way in question.

“Nemmouche also remains a threat. ‘For Allah to the death, no truce and no reconciliation’, is his own verdict,” said advocate-general, Yves Moreau, for the judgment of the jury and the court was known. “The only question at his release, is who his next victim will be. Of only regret is with him no question.”

The public prosecutor demanded, that's why today a life sentence against Nemmouche. In addition, he was a provision of 15 years in prison.

“Extenuating circumstances for Bendrer”

Nacer Bendrer is sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 15 years and a provision of the strafuitvoeringsrechtbank of 5 years. Bendrers lawyers pleaded for a sentence that would not exceed fifteen years, while the defense of Nemmouche no longer argued about the penalty.

For Bendrer golden according to the court mitigating circumstances, in particular the fact that he never, serious crimes had been committed and had grown up in a tough neighborhood in Marseille. The court held there is also take into account that he played an important role had played in an attack on the democratic state and that he no doubt had heavy weapons to give to a man of which he is the radicalisation knew, and knew what it was planning. Also the fact that he is not a full explanation was given about his part, and after the fact-crimes had been committed, was Bendrer charged.

“But he was not present during the attack”, was the judgment further. “He is after his release, not continued on the path of radicalisation, and has empathy and compassion shown to the victims. That proves to be a beginning of insight into his actions and his responsibility. He is also surrounded by his family and his partner, so the risk of re-offending is limited.”

“The facts, which are Nacer Bendrer guilty is declared, remain extremely serious, but his role is very different than that of Nemmouche”, recognised advocate-general Yves Moreau for the punishment was known. “Nemmouche is the instigator and the executor of the attack, Bendrer is the one who is "merely" the help has not been granted. That difference should be reflected in the penalties.”