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The jihadist Peter Cherif was sentenced to life imprisonment on Thursday by the special assize court in Paris for his role in Yemen with Chérif Kouachi, one of the attackers of Charlie Hebdo in 2015, as well as for the kidnapping of three humanitarian workers in 2011.
The 42-year-old defendant had been on trial since September 16 for criminal terrorist conspiracy from 2011 to 2018, during which he was present in Yemen with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). He is accused of having joined this jihadist organization and, in this context, of having participated in training his childhood friend Chérif Kouachi, one of the perpetrators of the attack on January 7, 2015, at Charlie Hebdo, where 12 people were killed. The attack was claimed by AQAP.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Aurélie Valente requested life imprisonment with a security period of 22 years for the jihadist. At the conclusion of a two-part indictment, delivered alongside her colleague Benjamin Chambre, she asked the court to find Peter Cherif “guilty” of all charges against him.
Peter Cherif was also implicated in the gang kidnapping of three French nationals, members of the NGO Triangle Génération Humanitaire, organized in 2011 for over five months. The jihadist, who largely exercised his right to silence during the trial, admitted to being one of the jailers of the humanitarian workers and acted as a “translator” between the hostages and their Yemeni captors from Al-Qaeda.
“The perfect CV of the accomplished jihadist”
The French jihad veteran, who grew up in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, denied having played a role in the Charlie Hebdo attack. However, he chose silence when the questions grew more specific.
For more than four hours, the two representatives of the public prosecutor’s office described a “complete jihadist” who was “the cornerstone of preparation” for the Charlie Hebdo attack. They noted that in 2011, he “was the only French member of AQAP,” an organization considered “paranoid”, which has integrated “very few foreigners” since its inception.
During his seven years in Yemen, Peter Cherif took on various roles: “cadre” of the organization, “landlord,” “recruiter” for candidates to commit attacks, “translator,” “propagandist,” “member of the external operations branch,” “artificer,” “military instructor,” and finally “gaoler,” as listed by the attorney general. “The perfect CV of the accomplished jihadist,” she summarized, also accusing him of being the “architect” behind the Charlie Hebdo attack.
“He will not come out of his jihad”
The satirical newspaper, which published caricatures of Mohammed in 2006, became an “obsession” for AQAP starting in 2010, pointed out Benjamin Chambre. “But it was only after Peter Cherif arrived in Yemen that this obsession became more specific and targeted,” he noted, recalling that the full name of the designer Charb, editorial director of Charlie Hebdo who was murdered on January 7, 2015, was published in 2013 in Inspire, the propaganda magazine of the jihadist organization, designating him as a target. According to the prosecution, only Peter Cherif could have known this name in Yemen.
Additionally, only Peter Cherif could have “facilitated connections” between his childhood friend Chérif Kouachi, who had joined Yemen in the summer of 2011, and a senior AQAP executive who assigned him the mission to carry out an attack against the newspaper, according to the attorneys general. He then served as “translator” when Chérif Kouachi received military training in a camp and maintained contact with him following Kouachi’s return to France. Since his arrest, Peter Cherif “has not launched any challenges,” according to the attorney general. “He will not emerge from his jihad.”
Peter Cherif Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Role in Charlie Hebdo Attack
The prominent jihadist Peter Cherif was handed a life sentence by the Paris Special Assize Court on Thursday, October 3, 2023. His conviction primarily stems from his support and training of Chérif Kouachi, a key perpetrator in the infamous January 7, 2015, attack on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. This brutal assault led to the tragic deaths of 12 individuals and was claimed by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
The Case Against Peter Cherif
The court found Cherif guilty of extensive criminal activity, focusing on his involvement with AQAP and the kidnapping of three French humanitarian workers in 2011. The trial, which commenced on September 16, scrutinized his actions during his time in Yemen, where he allegedly became an integral member of the terrorist organization.
Key Allegations
- Participated in training Chérif Kouachi in Yemen.
- Engaged in terrorist conspiracies from 2011 to 2018.
- Involved in the kidnapping of humanitarian workers.
Prosecutor’s Statements
During the trial, Attorney General Aurélie Valente called for a life sentence with a minimum security period of 22 years, emphasizing the gravity of Cherif’s actions. The prosecution described him as an “integral jihadist” and “cornerstone of preparation” leading to the attack on Charlie Hebdo.
Background of the Attack
The Charlie Hebdo attack occurred when gunmen stormed the editorial office, targeting the staff for publishing cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Cherif was accused of being pivotal to the planning activities in Yemen, marking him as a particularly dangerous figure within the jihadist network.
Details of Cherif’s Activities in Yemen
Peter Cherif’s time in Yemen was marked by multiple roles within AQAP. His actions included:
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Recruiter | Identified and recruited individuals for attacks. |
| Military Instructor | Trained recruits in combat tactics. |
| Translator | Facilitated communication between captives and their captors during the humanitarian worker kidnappings. |
| Propagandist | Spread AQAP’s ideology and messages to potential followers. |
Insights from the Trial
Throughout the proceedings, Cherif largely opted to remain silent. However, evidence presented by the prosecution illustrated how his actions not only facilitated Kouachi’s training but also the broader agenda of AQAP to target Charlie Hebdo.
Link Between Cherif and Kouachi
The court learned that Cherif’s relationship with Kouachi allowed him to establish critical connections within AQAP. As both were childhood friends, it is assertively stated that his involvement went beyond mere acquaintance, as he acted as a vital link between the local Yemenite operatives and Kouachi, who had traveled to Yemen to receive military instruction.
Prosecution’s Claims of an “Accomplished Jihadist”
The prosecution framed Cherif as an “accomplished jihadist,” indicating that his expertise and accumulated experience made him a substantial threat. This characterization was notably emphasized by the prosecutor’s remarks on how Cherif’s long-standing membership in AQAP rendered him uniquely positioned to facilitate the eventual attack on Charlie Hebdo.
Impact of His Actions on AQAP Operations
Moreover, the prosecution argued that Cherif’s arrival in AQAP significantly influenced their operational focus, particularly towards Charlie Hebdo. Cherif’s involvement allowed the organization to escalate their intentions against specific individuals associated with the publication.
Conclusion of the Trial
The ruling from the Paris Special Assize Court reflects not only the individual culpability of Peter Cherif but also highlights the complex web of connections within global jihadist networks. The life sentence reinforces the judicial system’s resolve to confront terrorism and the factors that enable such violent acts to occur.
