French police officers are in Kerala to question Thodupuzha native Subhani Haj Moideen, a suspected Islamic militant, who is said to have received weapons training along with Salan Abdusalam, the main accused in the 2015 Paris terror attacks. The French officials will question Moideen at Viyyoor jail on Wednesday.
The attacks in Paris on the night of November 13, 2015 by gunmen and suicide bombers had claimed the lives of 130 people. The attackers hit a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars, almost simultaneously. "Three coordinated teams" were believed to have been behind the attacks, according to Paris chief prosecutor Francois Molins.
The French police sought permission from the foreign ministry to stay in India for three days to complete their investigations into the dreadful attacks. French consular officials in India will accompany the party. The questioning will take place with the assistance of the National Investigation Agency and will continue till Friday, if needed.
It is for the first time that a European agency is questioning an Indian prisoner over an attack that took place on foreign soil.
Moideen is facing legal proceedings over a conspiracy to conduct terrorist attacks at places in Kerala. He is alleged to have held secret meetings at Kanakamala, Kannur, in this regard.
Moideen had allegedly decided to return to Kerala from Syria in 2015 after witnessing the death of his associate, who burned to death in front of him at the war front. When the terrorist organisation he was working with got wind of his plans, he was imprisoned and was only released on assurance that he would continue to plan terror strikes in India too.
(With inputs from manoramaonline)
