Paris court upholds life in jail sentence for Thalys train attacker

The Paris Court of Appeal on Thursday rejected an appeal against a life in jail sentence filed by an Islamist militant who opened fire aboard a high-speed train travelling through northern Europe.

Moroccan national Ayoub el Khazzani was heavily armed when he launched his attack moments after the Thalys train crossed into France from Belgium on Aug. 21, 2015. He was overpowered by three Americans before he killed anyone.

A Paris court in December 2020 had found the defendant guilty of attempted murder with intent to commit terrorism.