Brussels terror trial: Defence attorney claims Oussama Atar was released to serve as an informer

February 16, 2023   

(Brussels Times) Sebastien Courtoy, lawyer for Smail Farisi, argued in the Brussels Court of Assizes on Thursday that Oussama Atar, who led the terrorist cell responsible for the 22 March 2016 attacks from Syria, had been released by the authorities to become an informer.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office and State Security wanted Atar to help them bring down Imam Bassam Ayachi, the attorney claimed. Ayachi, a Franco-Syrian, is considered a veteran of Islamist radicalisation in Belgium.

Courtoy asked several questions about Atar, who was allegedly killed by a US drone in 2017, although his death has never been officially confirmed. He is believed to have masterminded the Brussels attacks from Raqqa, Syria.

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