![Trial in 2016 Ivory Coast attack set to get underway](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/images/UrduPoint-English-22.png)
Trial In 2016 Ivory Coast Attack Set To Get Underway
Faizan Hashmi Published November 30, 2022 | 10:10 AM
![Trial in 2016 Ivory Coast attack set to get underway](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/images/UrduPoint-English-22.png)
Abidjan, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2022 ) :Eighteen people go on trial in Ivory Coast on Wednesday accused of involvement in one of West Africa's bloodiest militant attacks -- a machine-gun assault on a beach resort in 2016 that left 19 dead.
But only four of the 18 will be physically present for the long-awaited proceedings in Abidjan, Ivory Coast's economic hub.
The others are either on the run or being held in Mali, said Aude Rimailho, a lawyer for civilian plaintiffs.
On March 13, 2016, three men wielding assault rifles attacked Grand-Bassam, a tourist complex 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of Abidjan popular with foreigners.
In an operation echoing a militant massacre the previous year in Tunisia, they stormed the beach and then attacked several hotels and restaurants.
The 45-minute bloodbath ended when the three were shot dead by Ivorian security forces.
Al-Qaeda's North African affiliate, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), claimed responsibility the same day.
It said the attack was in response to anti-militant operations in the Sahel by France and its allies, and targeted Ivory Coast for having handed over AQIM militants to Mali.
- Terrorism, murder charges - Several dozen people were arrested, including three suspected accomplices of the dead attackers, who were detained in Mali.
The charges against the 18 include acts of terrorism, murder, attempted murder, criminal concealment, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition "and complicity in these deeds," Public Prosecutor Richard Adou said last week.
Nineteen people were killed -- nine Ivorians, four French citizens, a Lebanese, a German, a Macedonian, a Malian, a Nigerian and a person who could not be identified.
Thirty-three people of various nationalities were wounded.
Rimailho, representing French plaintiffs, said those on trial were "small fry" and cautioned against seeing the proceedings as a chance for closure.
"The people who planned the operation are in Mali," she said.
The prospects of seeing them on trial there are clouded by "the chill between France and Mali," she said, referring to a breakdown in relations between Paris and the Malian ruling junta.
Mali is the epicentre of a decade-long militant revolt that has shaken the Sahel, claiming thousands of lives and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.
The attack on Grand-Bassam was the first and deadliest in a string of sporadic attacks on countries lying on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, south of the Sahel.
In January 2017, members of France's Barkhane anti-militant force captured a key suspect, Mimi Ould Baba Ould Cheikh.
He is described by Ivory Coast investigators as one of the instigators of the Grand-Bassam attack and by Burkina Faso as the "operation leader" in an assault on the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou in January 2016 that claimed 30 lives.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
![Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019914.jpg)
Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard
![Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on refor ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019922.jpg)
Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on reform agenda, engagement with IMF
![Finland says Russian vessel violated its territori ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019912.jpg)
Finland says Russian vessel violated its territorial waters
![Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019266.jpg)
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
![West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019264.jpg)
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
![Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murde ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019262.jpg)
Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murder of nationalist ex-MP
![Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris ope ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019015.jpg)
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
![Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inau ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019638.jpg)
Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inauguration reception
![Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Z ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019637.jpg)
Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Zardari at Governor's House
![Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019635.jpg)
Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympic coach sent home: official
![Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019013.jpg)
Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fighting against SL
!['Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019634.jpg)
'Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: What we know
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Political Harmony: A bedrock for strengthening democracy
19 hours ago -
Renewable Energy Resources: A quest for resilient energy landscape
6 days ago -
Dispute Resolution - A step towards speedy justice, social harmony
6 days ago -
South Punjab mangoes - another victim of climate change
6 days ago -
European Commission was wrong to redact Covid vaccine deal details: EU court
10 days ago -
Homemade mango pickle - a diminishing tradition
13 days ago
-
Digital Economy - a technological tool to unlock Pakistan's growth
13 days ago -
Handicraft industry - preserving centuries old asset
13 days ago -
Handicraft industry - preserving centuries old asset
15 days ago -
Pakistan: Bearing fury of Climate Change
20 days ago -
Khalid Fatemi’s book “Namurad Karachi” launched
21 days ago -
Tributes paid to renowned painter Naheed Raza
21 days ago