Eurasia Press & News
Ramda found guilty of helping prepare 1995 bombings on Paris’s metro system which left eight dead, 200 injured.
PARIS – An Algerian man was given a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail by a French court Wednesday for helping prepare bombings on the Paris metro system in 1995 which left eight dead and 200 injured. Rachid Ramda, 36, who was extradited from Britain in December after spending a decade in custody, was found guilty of criminal association with a terrorist organisation.
The charges related only to preparation of the attacks, which were claimed by the Algerian Armed Islamic Group (GIA).
Ramda, who is accused of financing the campaign, also faces a second trial for his role in the actual bombings, with charges that carry a possible life sentence.
This trial was cut short after only four sessions because Ramda told his lawyers not to defend him, describing the proceedings as “scandalous”, and refused to leave his prison cell.
The prosecution presented evidence linking him to Boualem Bensaid, who was given a life prison term in 2003 for carrying out the attacks.
Ramda’s lawyer said he would appeal.