A former security guard who helped procure the guns used in the 2018 Strasbourg Christmas market terrorist attack that killed five people and injured 11 others has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Audrey Mongehi, 43, was found guilty of a series of terrorism-related charges, including inciting murder and association with terrorist elements in connection with a terrorist plot, after helping find Sherif Chekat’s weapon, which he later fired 19 times. I received it. – Revolvers of the century on the market in the historic center of the city.
During a 10-minute spree on December 11, 2018, Chekat attacked passersby with a gun and knife at three locations in the shadow of the cathedral at a Christmas market visited by millions of tourists each year.
Chekat had a long criminal record with more than 20 convictions for theft and assault, had spent several years in prison and was on a watch list for radicalized ex-prisoners.
After the attack, he hailed a taxi south of the city. After a 48-hour search, he was killed in a gunfight with French police.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Strasbourg attack, and a video of Chekat pledging allegiance to the group was found in his home. But then-Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said the jihadist group took credit for the attack, which was not planned.
The six-week trial in Paris is the latest legal proceedings over the jihadist attacks that have hit France since 2015, with most of those in the dock having died as the actual perpetrators were killed during the attacks. He is charged with conspiracy.
Monjehi described himself in court as a former security guard who also made rap music. He has a long history of convictions and prison terms for crimes including armed robbery and domestic violence.
It was in prison that he first met Chekat. Years later, when they were released from prison, Chekat came to him and asked him to help procure weapons.
The presiding judge said Mongehi was convicted because he was “very close” to Chekat and “knew” of his violent extremism.
Prosecutors detailed that he was involved every step of the way and had a “close” relationship with Chekat in the months leading up to the attack.
In court, Mongehi’s lawyer admitted that Mongehi had helped supply the weapons, but said he had no knowledge of Chekat’s plans. Therefore, they said, he should not have been convicted of terrorism charges, but only of “conspiracy.”
“I feel deeply for all the victims and I am very saddened. They will forever regret what happened,” Mongehi told the court in his final statement before sentencing on Thursday. “I never thought of that. [Chekatt] I would have done that, but I had no idea he was being radicalized. ”
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Paul Latouche, a lawyer for several survivors, said: “With this decision, the special court in Paris recognizes that the December 11, 2018 terrorist attacks were not the act of one man.” .
“The lone wolf theory has been abandoned. The court found that the main perpetrator could not have been unaware of Chekat’s terrorist plot and provided him with significant assistance.”
Two others were found guilty of conspiracy to supply weapons. They are unemployed mechanic Christian Hoffmann and Frederic Bodain, who used to buy and sell used cars.
They were sentenced to prison, but they were already serving time on remand. Another man, Stephane Bodain, was acquitted because the judge ruled there was no “active participation.”
A fifth defendant, 83, may go on trial at a later date on charges of selling the murder weapon to Monjehi and Chekat hours before the attack. However, his medical examination revealed that his health was not suitable to participate in the same trial.
