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Was the Nice attack the work of a brutal psychopath, as suggested by the perpetrator’s psychological profile, or was it an Islamist-motivated attack?
The specially created anti-terrorist court in Paris decided on the second version. Not because the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia claimed responsibility for the attack. The court ruled that this was purely opportunistic. Because there is no evidence that the perpetrator had any contacts with IS.
But the driver of the white truck on the “Promenade des Anglais” on the French National Day 2016 in Nice was undoubtedly motivated by Islamism. At least two of the defendants should have known this, the court ruled. It sentenced the two men to 18 years in prison, just two years less than the maximum sentence for the offense of “membership of a terrorist organization”.
Victim perspective not considered, but important nonetheless
The defendants had always denied that they knew what their acquaintance was planning. Prosecutors had based their allegations on the reconstruction of text messages exchanged between the perpetrators and the accused. The defense warned of a miscarriage of justice. It is quite possible that she will now appeal.
However, the trial of the attack in Nice was not only intended to clarify the legal responsibility – it also wanted to show the consequences of the attack for the victims and their families. Hundreds of them testified during five weeks of negotiations and gave an impressive account of how they are still suffering today.
The court did not comment on the statements made by the victims and their relatives during the hearings. It also did not hold her in the verdict. But for the public reappraisal, this victim’s perspective was probably just as important as the judge’s verdict.