Just after his arrest, Abdeslam had made clear through his lawyer that he would oppose moves by France to obtain his extradition quickly. But that stance has changed, and now he apparently wants to transfer to France to “explain himself”. His lawyer said: “Salah Abdeslam told me that he wishes to leave for France as soon as possible. I will ask the investigating magistrate not to oppose his departure.”
Asked why, he said: “The most important part of the file is in France. His explanations have to go there.”
Mary had told Europe 1 radio on Wednesday night that Abdeslam had not agreed to speak to investigators who visited him on Tuesday after the Brussels attacks. Mary said this was perhaps because Abdeslam wanted to speak to his lawyer first. Mary said he did not want Abdeslam to close up or withdraw from speaking.
Abdeslam had been due in court in Brussels on 31 March to face a European arrest warrant issued by France. This warrant is a procedure reserved for EU member states that speeds up the traditional extradition process by preventing government authorities from blocking any transfer. The hearing has now been postponed until 7 April.
Asked whether Abdeslam, French-born though raised in Brussels, was still helping police investigators, Mary declined to comment, citing client confidentiality.
The lawyer had said on Monday, before the Brussels attacks, that Abdeslam was collaborating and communicating, and that he was “worth his weight in gold” for the investigation.
The Belgian daily Le Soir reported that Mary was assaulted in the street on Tuesday by someone who criticised him for defending a terrorist.
The lawyer told the paper he had shut his office to ensure the safety of his colleagues but he had not been personally placed under any police protection and did not want to be.
Culled from The Guardian
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