Attacker gets life term for 2015 Islamist strikes in Paris

19 others found guilty of various crimes; survivors, families of victims spoke at trial

PARIS • A French court has handed a life sentence to the lone survivor of the Islamist squad that killed 130 people in a night of carnage across Paris, bringing some closure to survivors and a country whose psyche was left scarred.

Salah Abdeslam was found guilty on Wednesday of terrorism and murder charges, with no possibility of early release, which is the most severe criminal sentence possible in France and one-handed out only four times previously.

Nineteen other men – six of whom are believed to be dead – involved in the Nov 13, 2015 attacks that targeted the Bataclan music hall, six bars and restaurants and the Stade de France sports stadium were also on trial.

“Justice has been served,” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said.

“Against inhumanity, it’s our democracy’s strength to respond with justice to the attacks that plunged our city and our country in mourning.

“Paris remembers and will always stand by the victims and their families,” she said.