At his trial, jihadist Peter Cherif admits his participation in the kidnapping of French aid workers in Yemen

JUSTICE – Unexpected confession before the special assize court in Paris. In an unexpected turn of events, French jihad veteran Peter Cherif, currently on trial for his alleged role alongside one of the Charlie Hebdo attackers in January 2015, has admitted to having been one of the jailers of three French aid workers kidnapped in Yemen in 2011.

Not very talkative since the beginning of the hearing before the special assize court in Paris, where he is being tried for terrorist criminal association, the 42-year-old man who was the interface between the hostages and their Yemeni captors from Al-Qaeda finally spilled the beans. While he had always denied any participation in the facts alleged during the investigation.

These three French aid workers were kidnapped on May 28, 2011 as they were returning home to the Yemeni city of Seyoun. They were held captive in a « caves » from the desert and then to other locations, before finally being released in November 2011.

He was ” the translator »

Peter Cherif’s spontaneous confession came after the moving testimony in court of one of the former hostages, Amélie (not her real name), 45, who claimed that the accused had been one of her jailers. During the investigation, she had “ recognized without certainty, at 65%”being confronted with recordings of telephone interceptions between Peter Cherif and his mother.

“I have the feeling that, clearly, it was this person (in the dock) who was there” during our detention, she said on Tuesday. To prove it, she pointed out her corpulence, her “ damaged ankles » (corresponding to injuries during a parachute jump at that time), but above all his “ voice “which she heard in court on Monday.

“I acknowledge the facts (…) I am the translator” between the hostages and their Yemeni captors from Al-Qaeda, he finally let slip in this courtroom reserved for “major trials”.

“I regret having participated in all this”, “I was not aware of the kidnapping plan” humanitarians, explained Peter Cherif standing in his box. “It was a complicated situation for me”he assured. “What I was able to do, to say, were the orders of the chief.”

“If I had not been there, I am convinced that the conditions (of detention of the hostages) would have been even more difficult”he justified himself again. His role was to communicate with the kidnappers who did not understand or speak French or English. He had also been nicknamed “the Frenchman” because of his perfect French.

« Out of respect for this person”

During the investigation of this case, investigators had managed to establish his presence in Yemen when the three French humanitarians from the Lyon-based NGO Triangle Génération Humanitaire had been kidnapped by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Without ever succeeding in proving his involvement in the kidnapping.

Peter Cherif also took advantage of this moment of confession to address the former hostage directly, declaring: “You were very strong, Madam… The conditions (of detention) were very harsh”he confirmed. Since the start of the trial, Amélie and the two other former hostages, Pierre and Léa (who both testified by video) have been able to recount their very trying conditions of detention. In particular, at night, when they were held by chains on their feet.

Surprised, like everyone else, by this turnaround, the president of the special assize court, Frédérique Aline, also took the opportunity to ask him why the accused was only now admitting the facts. “I want Madame to be able to turn the page on this story. I take my responsibilities. Out of respect for this person. Silence would not have helped.”he said.

Despite this admission, his trial is still due to continue until October 4 regarding the events at Charlie Hebdo, where he potentially played a key role alongside his childhood friend, Chérif Kouachi, one of the perpetrators of the attack on the satirical newspaper.