Largest trial in France for 138 persons under links to Algerian Islamists

The largest collective trial for al-Shalabi networking started on Tuesday in Paris. The networking comprises 138 persons suspected to have links with Algerian armed Islamist group.

This trial is of special importance because it is the first time such a massive trial is made for "opposition" Algerian in France and because its sessions will last for two months.

French police had discovered the network by mere coincidence during the investigations in March 1994 in a drug trafficking case. Then, investigations led them to closely follow up the activities of " the educational society for France Muslims," whose headquarters is Val De Marn, near Paris. The society is in charge of organizing illiteracy eradication courses.

The French police realized that the society is also a headquarters and a meeting place for Islamist meeting. The security men found weapons, ammunition and documents on ways to manufacture explosives and a sum of 70,000 French francs at the headquarters of the society In Shwassi Lorwa city.