Lawyers for Paris attacks suspect stop defending him

October 12, 2016 19:16

Lawyers for the only surviving suspect in last November's attack in Paris say they will no longer defend him because he refuses to speak.

Frank Berton and Sven Mary said they've decided to stop representing Salah Abdeslam, who has chosen to remain silent in a protest against his prison conditions, including the 24-hour video surveillance of his cell.

Berton told a press conference today that Abdeslam, who was arrested in Brussels in March then transferred to France, was psychologically damaged by his detention at Fleury-Merogis prison.

"I've been convinced for months that he is isolating and radicalising himself, he is taking his video surveillance very badly," Berton said. "This is not blackmail, it's just the reality of his psychological and psychic state. The problem is related to his solitary confinement."

According to Berton, Abdeslam was initially willing to speak and the lawyer urged French authorities to soften their tough approach.

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