A historic trial began on Wednesday in Paris, over the terror attacks that took place in the French capital in 2015, killing more than 130 persons, and leaving 350 others wounded. French local media affirmed that over the next nine months, there would be over 140 days of hearings involving about 20 suspects, the only surviving attacker Salah Abdeslam and 1,800 survivors and relatives of victims. The shooting and bombing assault by the Daesh group (so-called IS) extremists was the worst post-World War Two attack in France. French media report that Abdeslam shouted from the dock, saying he had not complained in the past because he would be "resurrected" after death. This is considered one of the biggest trials in the history of France. There will be more than 140 days of hearings involving about 330 lawyers, 300 victims and testimony from François Hollande, who was French president when the attacks happened. On Nov. 13, 2015, former French President, Hollande was attending a soccer match between Germany and France at the National French Stadium during the incident but was rushed away by security personnel when the devices exploded. Ahead of the trial, Hollande told French media that this was an important moment for the victims of the attacks, which he called an "act of war" at the time. Daesh admitted carrying out the coordinated attacks on the Bataclan concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars on Nov. 13, 2015. The suspects arrived at court in police vehicles under heavy security on Wednesday morning. They were seated together in the defendants' box, wearing facemasks, before the trial opened. Day one of this monumental trial is over, with its mixture of confusion and solemnity, drama and tedium. At the start it was mayhem, as everyone milled around wondering where to go. But, at 13:00, the presiding judge entered the court and a stillness descended. I think at that point everyone drew a breath and understood the significance of the moment. — Agencies
