Nice terror attack defendants get 2 to 18 years in prison

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – A Paris court Tuesday sentenced eight defendants in the 2016 Nice terror attacks to prison sentences of two to 18 years, local media reported.

The attack on July 14, 2016 – Bastille Day – in Nice, southern France left 86 people dead and more than 400 others injured. The driver of a truck used in the attack, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, was killed by police officers.

In his absence, the trial of eight defendants began this September, and the court gave verdicts on Tuesday, finding all eight guilty.

Chokri Chafroud and Mohamed Ghraieb were sentenced to 18 years in prison, while Ramzi Arefa got 12 years.

Artan Henaj, Enkeledja Zace, Maksim Celaj, Endri Elesi and Brahim Tritrou got sentences ranging from two to eight years.

Brahim Titrou, tried in absentia, is currently detained in Tunisia.

Among the defendants, only two – Chokri Chafroud and Mohamed Ghraieb – were found guilty of terrorist criminal association.