MOURAD HAMYD, BROTHER-IN-LAW OF CHARLIE HEBDO ATTACKER, ASKED TO BE IMMEDIATELY EXTRADITED TO FRANCE

On 10th of August, Sofia city court had a sitting on the case against the French citizen Murad Hamyd regarding the extradition request and the European arrest warrant issued by France.

During the hearing, Hamyd asked to be immediately extradited to France. He has the right to withdraw his request within three days.

The European arrest warrant says that Hamyd was accused of terrorism. He is believed to have wanted to join the Islamic state in Syria and Iraq.

If extradited to France, he may face up to 10 years of imprisonment if convicted.

Murad Hamyd described his arrest as "unfair". In court he said his rights were not respected because he was not given drinks and was treated like a dog. He said he was accused of being a terrorist on the basis of mere suspicion.

By Tuesday, 16th of August, the court will decide on whether to extradite Hamyd or not.

Mourad Hamyd, the 20 year old relative of one of the participants in the terrorist attack at the Paris headquarters of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, was arrested in Bulgaria on 28th of July 2016. He arrived in Bulgaria on 26th of July on a train from Serbia. Two days later he tried to visit Turkey but was refused entry because he was subject to a five-year entry ban by the Turkish authorities. He was returned to Bulgaria.

Hamyd was arrested in Bulgaria on 29th of July under a European arrest warrant which was issued by the French authorities.