French Muslim sentenced to 9 years for jihad recruiting, plotting attacks against Jewish sites

Mohamed Achamlane

PARIS (AP) – The chief of a dismantled French radical network has been sentenced to nine years in prison for recruiting for jihad, plotting attacks at home and praising terrorism.

A Paris court on Friday convicted Mohamed Achamlane, self-proclaimed "emir" of the Forsane Alizza (Knights of Pride) group, of terrorism charges. The French citizen was accused of plotting terrorist attacks, including targeting kosher markets and other Jewish businesses in Paris, abducting and torturing a Jewish judge in Lyon and threatening France.

Other accused members of the Islamist group were sentenced to terms varying from a 12-month suspended term to six years in prison.

Achamlane said he created the group in 2010 to counter fears about Islam and channel the energy of young Muslims. The group was dissolved in 2012.