US embassy cable - 05PARIS7528

S E C R E T PARIS 007528 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINR, PTER, FR 
SUBJECT: TERRORISM INVESTIGATING JUDGE COMMENTS ON ONGOING 
C/T ACTIVITIES 
 
REF: PARIS 3989 
 
Classified By: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR JOSIAH ROSENBLATT, FOR REAS 
ONS 1.4 B/D 
 
1. (S) Summary: Terrorism investigating judge Jean-Francois 
Ricard (strictly protect) discussed his office's ongoing C/T 
activities November 3, including the possible upcoming 
release of two ex-GTMO detainees and the continued 
investigation of three separate terrorist cells discovered in 
2005.  The discovery of these cells is the reason for 
Interior Minister Sarkozy and PM Villepin's recent public 
warnings regarding terrorist threats to France.  Ricard also 
analyzed the current unrest in Paris suburbs, saying no one 
in the GOF should be surprised by what is happening (septel). 
End summary. 
 
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POSSIBLE RELEASE OF 2 EX-GTMO DETAINEES 
--------------------------------------- 
 
2. (S) The investigating judges assigned to the ex-GTMO 
detainee case (Ricard and Bruguiere) have come to the 
conclusion that most, if not all, are not "big fish," said 
Ricard.  He still believes he has enough to bring some to 
trial.  However, he is close to recommending the release of 2 
ex-GTMO detainees, Nizar Sassi and Mourad Benchellali, due to 
lack of sufficient evidence.  (Note: Reftel describes their 
situation in greater detail.  Sassi and Benchellali were 
captured in Afghanistan and were part of the first group 
returned to France.  Their lawyers filed a civil suit in 
French courts over what they described as their illegal 
arrest and imprisonment in GTMO.  End note)  If Sassi and 
Benchellali are released, 3 ex-GTMO detainees will remain in 
pre-trial detention.  Ricard plans on finishing the case and 
going to trial sometime in 2006.  Although he said a final 
decision has not been made regarding Sassi and Benchellali's 
release, he believes it may occur by the end of the month. 
 
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DISCOVERY IN 2005 OF THREE TERRORIST CELLS CAUSES HIGH-LEVEL 
GOF CONCERN 
--------------------------------------------- --------------- 
 
3. (S) Ricard said it appears that three separate terrorist 
groups have been discovered in 2005, although French 
authorities do not believe they have found everybody 
belonging to these groups.  They include the GSPC-linked 
group led by Safe Bourada (who was arrested in September), an 
Algerian-linked group about which very little is known, and a 
Montpellier-based group linked to Iraq, although little is 
known of this group as well.  Ricard said Interior Minister 
Sarkozy is intimately aware of and involved in the conduct of 
these ongoing investigations.  The three groups are the cause 
of high-level concern because all three appear to be 
independent, and clearly have targeted France.  All appear to 
have links, whether important or incidental, with Syria, 
Egypt, and/or Iraq.  Against this backdrop, Sarkozy and 
Villepin have increased their public warnings regarding 
potential terrorist threats, said Ricard.  He added that the 
GOF has not uncovered any imminent plots, but the simple fact 
that possibly three independent groups have been discovered 
in France in 2005 is worrying enough. 
Please visit Paris' Classified Website at: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/paris/index.c fm 
Stapleton