On the third day of their opening hearing, federal prosecutors Paule Somers and Bernard Michel spoke about the two accused who escaped on March 15, 2016 during the police raid on Driesstraat in Vorst that killed Mohamed Belkaid. After their arrest on March 18, the terrorist cell decided to strike faster than planned.
Their lawyers have always maintained that after the November 13, 2015 attacks, Ayari and Abdeslam joined the Paris terror cell in Brussels and knew nothing about the Belgian plans. However, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) does not believe that. For example, the two full members of the Belgian cell, each with their own role: Abdeslam knew Belgium well (just like Mohamed Abrini) and Ayari was a Syrian fighter (just like Osama Krayem).
Both also stayed in different safe houses, where they had access to the computers and where, according to other accused, the plans were openly discussed. When Ayari and Abdeslam fled on March 15, there was also material in Driesstraat to carry out attacks.
The fact that on March 15 the plan to carry out attacks was not yet fully established does not mean that Abdeslam and Ayari cannot be co-perpetrators of terrorist murder. According to the Public Prosecution Service, both provided essential assistance in preparing the attacks: Abdeslam brought several essential figures to Belgium and, more importantly, both did nothing to stop the attacks after their arrest. By remaining silent, they committed an “active act,” said prosecutor Bernard Michel.