Two defendants, Azim Epsirkhanov and Naïm Boudaoud, face life imprisonment for their alleged roles in aiding Abdoullakh Anzorov in the murder of Samuel Paty. Epsirkhanov, a 23-year-old Chechen immigrant, and Boudaoud, a 22-year-old French national, have been in custody since October 2020 and deny all charges. Their backgrounds reveal troubled pasts marked by trauma and radical influences, culminating in their involvement in the events leading to Paty’s brutal killing.
Life Imprisonment for Accused in High-Profile Case
The two defendants in a significant terrorism case are facing the possibility of life behind bars. On November 5, a special assize court in Paris delved into the backgrounds of the accused: Azim Epsirkhanov, a 23-year-old of Chechen descent from Russia, and Naïm Boudaoud, a 22-year-old French national. Both have been in custody since October 2020, facing serious allegations of aiding Abdoullakh Anzorov in his heinous plan, which culminated in the brutal murder of Samuel Paty. From the defendant’s stand, the pair have steadfastly “denied the facts” of the charges against them, which include complicity in terrorist murder and the provision of weapons to the perpetrator.
A Troubled Past and Radical Influences
Azim Epsirkhanov, born in Russia in 2001, relocated to France in 2010. During his testimony, he expressed deep appreciation for the country that provided him refuge, stating, “My parents instilled in me a love for this nation.” However, his childhood was marred by trauma, including his father’s kidnapping and experiences that forced his family to flee Chechnya. After moving to France, he faced instability, with frequent relocations and a father who was incarcerated multiple times. An investigator noted that Azim felt a strong sense of duty toward his family in the absence of his father.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Azim managed to excel academically, even as he juggled odd jobs such as refereeing football matches and working as a waiter to support his family. With aspirations of joining the French police or military, he was actively pursuing a BTS diploma when his life took an unexpected turn. Around the same time, he began to notice a troubling shift in his friend Abdoullakh Anzorov, who was becoming increasingly radicalized.
Naïm Boudaoud also has a story marked by personal struggles. Born in France, his life took a turn for the worse following his parents’ separation in 2012, leading to distractions in school and frequent absences. A turning point came in 2018 when he was assaulted and sought protection from Azim. Their friendship blossomed in the gym, where they trained together, and Naïm viewed Abdoullakh as a close companion.
By 2020, Naïm observed significant changes in Abdoullakh’s demeanor, noting that discussions around girls or parties were now off-limits. On the eve of Samuel Paty’s murder, Naïm, alongside Azim, played a pivotal role in aiding Abdoullakh by driving him to a knife shop. He also accompanied him to purchase Airsoft guns on the day of the attack, yet has continued to assert his innocence throughout the proceedings.