Seven men and one woman were found guilty and sentenced by a French court for their roles in 2016 Nice terror attack in which a truck went on a rampage on a two kilometre (1.2 mile) road. The horrific incident that took place on Nice's seaside boulevard claimed 86 lives. Families were celebrating Bastille Day, France's national holiday, at the time of the terror attack.

Attacker Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was shot dead by police on the spot.

The Paris court found main defendant Mohamed Gharaieb guilty of belonging to a terrorist organisation. He was a friend of Bouhlel. Gharaieb was handed 18-year prison sentence.

Chokri Chafroud and Ramzi Arefa, two other high-profile defendants, were also found guilty. They had been accused of helping Bouhlel to weapons and the truck. They were handed jail sentences of 18 and 12 years respectively.

Five other people were handed sentences of two to eight years.

None of the defendants was accused of taking part in the attack or even of complicity - a decision which survivors said they were struggling with.

Islamic State claimed responsibility a few days after the Nice rampage but offered no proof that the attacker, who had a record of domestic violence and petty crime, had had any direct contact with the group.

The verdict delivered by the court can be appealed by the guilty if they choose to.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Seven men and one woman were found guilty and sentenced by a French court for their roles in 2016 Nice terror attack in which a truck went on a rampage on a two kilometre (1.

Seven men and one woman were found guilty and sentenced by a French court for their roles in 2016 Nice terror attack in which a truck went on a rampage on a two kilometre (1.2 mile) road. The horrific incident that took place on Nice's seaside boulevard claimed 86 lives. Families were celebrating Bastille Day, France's national holiday, at the time of the terror attack. Attacker Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was shot dead by police on the spot. The Paris court found main defendant Mohamed Gharaieb guilty of belonging to a terrorist organisation. He was a friend of Bouhlel. Gharaieb was handed 18-year prison sentence. Chokri Chafroud and Ramzi Arefa, two other high-profile defendants, were also found guilty. They had been accused of helping Bouhlel to weapons and the truck. They were handed jail sentences of 18 and 12 years respectively. Five other people were handed sentences of two to eight years. None of the defendants was accused of taking part in the attack or even of complicity - a decision which survivors said they were struggling with. Islamic State claimed responsibility a few days after the Nice rampage but offered no proof that the attacker, who had a record of domestic violence and petty crime, had had any direct contact with the group. The verdict delivered by the court can be appealed by the guilty if they choose to. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

2016 Nice terror attack: French court finds all 8 suspects guilty

The 21-year-old Tunisian behind the attack, who killed three in an attack in France's Nice spoke to his family 12 hours before the attack, and never gave any indication he was contemplating violence.

Multiple reports say Brahim al-Aouissaoui had small-time run-ins with the law as a teen, but nothing that alerted Tunisian authorities to possible extremist leanings.

Italy's interior minister, Luciana Lamorgese, told reporters Issaoui had not set off warning bells with Tunisian authorities or intelligence services.

The spokesperson for Tunisia's anti-terrorism prosecutor's office, Mohsen Dali, said al-Aouissaoui is not classified as being a terrorist element to the security and judicial authorities.

Issaoui's mother told investigators that he led a normal life for someone of his age. He drank alcohol and wore ordinary clothes. He started praying two years ago, but did not have any suspicious associates.

He grew up among eight sisters and two brothers in a modest home on a potholed road in Thina, a working-class neighbourhood in an industrial zone close to Sfax, a major port on Tunisia’s eastern coast.

He later opened a vegetable stall in a shop that also sold gasoline illegally.

Authorities said al-Aouissaoui’s occasionally violent behaviour and drug use had brought him to the attention of local police.

He decided on September 14 to try to enter Italy illegally, having failed in a previous attempt.

He arrived in Italy's southernmost island of Lampedusa on September 20, and was transferred to Puglia, where he was quarantined for the coronavirus on a ship with some 800 other migrants. His expulsion order was dated October 9.

He is believed to have travelled first to Paris, with Tunisian officials saying he arrived in Nice the day before the attack.

al-Aouissaoui had called his family at about 8pm on October 28 to tell them he was in France.

Knife-weilding al-Aouissaoui, who was also carrying two phones and a Quran, was then shot by police when he attacked three people. He is now in a critical condition and under heavy guard in hospital.

Authorities in both Italy and Tunisia are cooperating with France on the investigation.

The attack took place at a time of growing anger among Muslims in many countries over the issue of French cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, which they deem insulting and blasphemous.

It occurred almost two weeks after Samuel Paty, a school teacher in a Paris suburb, was beheaded by an 18-year-old Chechen. Paty had shown his pupils such cartoons in a class on freedom of expression.

France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community and hit by a string of militant attacks in recent years, has defended the right to publish such cartoons. President Emmanuel Macron has insisted France will not compromise on its basic freedoms of belief and expression.

To this end, France stepped up security nationwide on Friday to guard against Islamist attacks after the fatal stabbings at a church in Nice, while protests flared in parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa over French caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad.

Macron deployed thousands of soldiers to protect sites including places of worship and schools, and the nation was at its highest level of security alert after the second deadly knife attack in its cities in two weeks.

Police were holding the 21-year-old Tunisian migrant over the attack in which a man shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) decapitated a woman and killed two other people in Notre Dame Basilica in Nice on Thursday.

(with inputs)

The 21-year-old Tunisian behind the attack, who killed three in an attack in France's Nice spoke to his family 12 hours before the attack, and never gave any indication he was contemplating violence.

The 21-year-old Tunisian behind the attack, who killed three in an attack in France's Nice spoke to his family 12 hours before the attack, and never gave any indication he was contemplating violence. Multiple reports say Brahim al-Aouissaoui had small-time run-ins with the law as a teen, but nothing that alerted Tunisian authorities to possible extremist leanings. Italy's interior minister, Luciana Lamorgese, told reporters Issaoui had not set off warning bells with Tunisian authorities or intelligence services. The spokesperson for Tunisia's anti-terrorism prosecutor's office, Mohsen Dali, said al-Aouissaoui is not classified as being a terrorist element to the security and judicial authorities. Issaoui's mother told investigators that he led a normal life for someone of his age. He drank alcohol and wore ordinary clothes. He started praying two years ago, but did not have any suspicious associates. He grew up among eight sisters and two brothers in a modest home on a potholed road in Thina, a working-class neighbourhood in an industrial zone close to Sfax, a major port on Tunisia’s eastern coast. He later opened a vegetable stall in a shop that also sold gasoline illegally. Authorities said al-Aouissaoui’s occasionally violent behaviour and drug use had brought him to the attention of local police. He decided on September 14 to try to enter Italy illegally, having failed in a previous attempt. He arrived in Italy's southernmost island of Lampedusa on September 20, and was transferred to Puglia, where he was quarantined for the coronavirus on a ship with some 800 other migrants. His expulsion order was dated October 9. He is believed to have travelled first to Paris, with Tunisian officials saying he arrived in Nice the day before the attack. al-Aouissaoui had called his family at about 8pm on October 28 to tell them he was in France. Knife-weilding al-Aouissaoui, who was also carrying two phones and a Quran, was then shot by police when he attacked three people. He is now in a critical condition and under heavy guard in hospital. Authorities in both Italy and Tunisia are cooperating with France on the investigation. The attack took place at a time of growing anger among Muslims in many countries over the issue of French cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, which they deem insulting and blasphemous. It occurred almost two weeks after Samuel Paty, a school teacher in a Paris suburb, was beheaded by an 18-year-old Chechen. Paty had shown his pupils such cartoons in a class on freedom of expression. France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community and hit by a string of militant attacks in recent years, has defended the right to publish such cartoons. President Emmanuel Macron has insisted France will not compromise on its basic freedoms of belief and expression. To this end, France stepped up security nationwide on Friday to guard against Islamist attacks after the fatal stabbings at a church in Nice, while protests flared in parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa over French caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad. Macron deployed thousands of soldiers to protect sites including places of worship and schools, and the nation was at its highest level of security alert after the second deadly knife attack in its cities in two weeks. Police were holding the 21-year-old Tunisian migrant over the attack in which a man shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) decapitated a woman and killed two other people in Notre Dame Basilica in Nice on Thursday. (with inputs)

Nice terror suspect gave no indication he was contemplating violence

An emotional Lille head coach Christophe Galtier, after his team’s Europa League match against Celtic on Thursday, said that France is “bruised” after a “cowardly” knife attack in Nice where three people were killed in a church as President Emmanuel Macron termed it as “Islamist terrorist attack”.

Galtier while offering condolences to the friends, families and relatives of the people who were murdered in the incident said it was a difficult day for him personally and added that he would have avoided working on the day if it was in his hands.&nbsp;

"France is bruised... France is bruised," said Galtier.

"Even if it is not much, I want to offer my condolences to the friends, to the families, to the relatives of the people who were cowardly murdered today in a church. Two women, one man...

"Believe me, it was a difficult day on a personal level. If I could have avoided working, I would have done."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-knife-attack-world-leaders-condemn-deadly-stabbings-338800" hreflang="en">France knife attack: World leaders condemn deadly stabbings</a>

A 21-year-old Tunisian migrant had a copy of the Koran and three knives with him as he shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest) when approached by the police who shot and seriously wounded him, France’s anti-terror prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said during a press conference.&nbsp;

"Apart from the health crisis, to live such moments in our beautiful country, believe me, that it is very difficult," added Galtier, with France to reenter lockdown on Friday in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

"And once again, I reiterate all my support to the relatives of the cowardly murdered people and to the people of Nice. It's a city that is often the target of attacks."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/spurs-stunned-by-antwerp-milan-cruise-to-victory-338964" hreflang="en">Spurs stunned by Antwerp, Milan cruise to victory</a>

This is not the first time Nice was attacked by terrorists. In July 2016, 86 people were killed in a terror attack.

Meanwhile, Lille drew their Europa League group game with Celtic 2-2. 
&nbsp;

An emotional Lille head coach Christophe Galtier, after his team’s Europa League match against Celtic on Thursday, said that France is “bruised” after a “cowardly” knife attack in Nice where three people were killed in a church as President Emmanuel Macron termed it as “Islamist terrorist attack”.

An emotional Lille head coach Christophe Galtier, after his team’s Europa League match against Celtic on Thursday, said that France is “bruised” after a “cowardly” knife attack in Nice where three people were killed in a church as President Emmanuel Macron termed it as “Islamist terrorist attack”. Galtier while offering condolences to the friends, families and relatives of the people who were murdered in the incident said it was a difficult day for him personally and added that he would have avoided working on the day if it was in his hands. "France is bruised... France is bruised," said Galtier. "Even if it is not much, I want to offer my condolences to the friends, to the families, to the relatives of the people who were cowardly murdered today in a church. Two women, one man... "Believe me, it was a difficult day on a personal level. If I could have avoided working, I would have done." ALSO READ: France knife attack: World leaders condemn deadly stabbings A 21-year-old Tunisian migrant had a copy of the Koran and three knives with him as he shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest) when approached by the police who shot and seriously wounded him, France’s anti-terror prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard said during a press conference. "Apart from the health crisis, to live such moments in our beautiful country, believe me, that it is very difficult," added Galtier, with France to reenter lockdown on Friday in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus. "And once again, I reiterate all my support to the relatives of the cowardly murdered people and to the people of Nice. It's a city that is often the target of attacks." ALSO READ: Spurs stunned by Antwerp, Milan cruise to victory This is not the first time Nice was attacked by terrorists. In July 2016, 86 people were killed in a terror attack. Meanwhile, Lille drew their Europa League group game with Celtic 2-2.

France 'bruised' after 'cowardly' terror attack in Nice: Lille coach Galtier

The Nice truck attacker staked out the seafront for two days before striking, it emerged on Sunday as investigators pieced together details of the Islamic State claimed massacre and questioned possible accomplices. 
 
A source close to the investigation told AFP that Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a 31-year-old Tunisian, sent a text message just before the attack in which he &quot;expresses satisfaction at having obtained a 7.65-millimetre pistol and discusses the supply of other weapons&quot;. 
 
He also took a selfie at the wheel of the 19-tonne truck in the days before he ploughed it into a crowd of people who had been enjoying a fireworks display on Bastille Day, France&#39;s national day, killing 84 and injuring about 300. 
 
Mangled bodies were left strewn across the Riviera city&#39;s seafront in the grisly attack by a man described by those who knew him as a loner with a history of violence and depression. 
 
While some relatives and friends described the delivery driver as someone who drank heavily and never attended the local mosque, others questioned by investigators spoke of &quot;a recent shift to radical Islam&quot;, said a police source. 
 
But there has been no evidence yet linking him to the Islamic State group, which on Saturday claimed the attack. 
 
An Albanian suspected of providing the driver with the pistol was arrested in Nice on Sunday. Lahouaiej-Bouhlel fired at police who sprayed his rampaging truck with gunfire, eventually killing him. 
 
Two replica assault rifles and a dummy grenade were also found in the truck, which he rented a few days earlier and used for reconnaissance on the seafront. 
 
Besides the Albanian, six other people were being held over the carnage. 
 
Lahouaiej-Bouhlel&#39;s estranged wife, the mother of his three children, was released on Sunday after two days of questioning. 
 
Slow identification of victims: 
 
In Nice, many people were still desperately waiting for news of their loved ones. 
 
Prosecutors said just 52 victims had been officially identified so far as they take painstaking measures to avoid errors of identification seen during the Paris attacks last November. 
 
&quot;We have no news, neither good nor bad,&quot; said Johanna, a Lithuanian who was looking for her two friends, aged 20. 
 
American student Nicolas Leslie, 20, who had been missing since the attack was confirmed dead on Sunday, the third known US fatality. 
 
At least 10 children were among the dead as well as tourists from Ukraine, Switzerland, Germany and about 10 people from Russia, a local Russian association said. 
 
Religious services and gatherings in memory of the victims took place in several French cities on Sunday. 
 
Health Minister Marisol Touraine said 85 people were still hospitalised, 18 of them in critical condition. 
 
&#39;Radicalised very quickly&#39;: 
 
Despite several brushes with the law for petty crime, Lahouaiej-Bouhlel had never appeared on the radar of intelligence services. 
 
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Saturday he &quot;seemed to have been radicalised very quickly, from what his friends and family&quot; told police. 
 
People who went to the same gym as Lahouaiej-Bouhlel -- where he took salsa dancing classes and lifted weights -- described him as a vain man who &quot;flirted with anything that moved&quot;. 
 
The Islamic State group said one of its &quot;soldiers&quot; carried out the attack in response to its calls to target countries from the US-led coalition engaged in airstrikes against the group. 
 
Cazeneuve described the massacre as &quot;a new kind of attack&quot;. 
 
&quot;We are now confronted with individuals open to Islamic State&#39;s message to engage in extremely violent actions without necessarily having been trained or having the weapons to carry out a mass (casualty) attack,&quot; he said. 
 
Patriots called to volunteer: 
 
France&#39;s third major attack in the past 18 months has left the government fending off criticism over security failures and scrambling to reassure citizens about their safety. 
 
The frustration of the French was writ large in some of the messages left among flowers and tributes on Nice&#39;s seafront. 
 
&quot;Enough with the speeches&quot; and &quot;Sick of carnage in our streets&quot;, the messages read. 
 
Cazeneuve called for volunteers to boost the security forces who were already on high alert under an eight-month-old state of emergency. 
 
&quot;I want to call on all French patriots who wish to do so, to join this operational reserve,&quot; said Cazeneuve of a force currently made up of 12,000 volunteers aged between 17 and 30. 
 
The latest attack comes after a French parliamentary inquiry last week criticised numerous failings by the intelligence services following jihadist assaults in January and November last year. 
 
France is a prime target of IS, due to its role in fighting the group in Iraq and Syria, its emphasis on secular values, and what the government has admitted is a &quot;social and ethnic apartheid&quot; that alienates its large Muslim community. 
 
Hundreds of French jihadists have gone to fight alongside IS in Iraq and Syria. 
 
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian noted that IS had recently repeated calls for supporters to &quot;directly attack the French, Americans, wherever they are and by whatever means&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

He also took a selfie at the wheel of the 19-tonne truck in the days before he ploughed it into a crowd of people on Bastille Day

The Nice truck attacker staked out the seafront for two days before striking, it emerged on Sunday as investigators pieced together details of the Islamic State claimed massacre and questioned possible accomplices. A source close to the investigation told AFP that Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a 31-year-old Tunisian, sent a text message just before the attack in which he "expresses satisfaction at having obtained a 7.65-millimetre pistol and discusses the supply of other weapons". He also took a selfie at the wheel of the 19-tonne truck in the days before he ploughed it into a crowd of people who had been enjoying a fireworks display on Bastille Day, France's national day, killing 84 and injuring about 300. Mangled bodies were left strewn across the Riviera city's seafront in the grisly attack by a man described by those who knew him as a loner with a history of violence and depression. While some relatives and friends described the delivery driver as someone who drank heavily and never attended the local mosque, others questioned by investigators spoke of "a recent shift to radical Islam", said a police source. But there has been no evidence yet linking him to the Islamic State group, which on Saturday claimed the attack. An Albanian suspected of providing the driver with the pistol was arrested in Nice on Sunday. Lahouaiej-Bouhlel fired at police who sprayed his rampaging truck with gunfire, eventually killing him. Two replica assault rifles and a dummy grenade were also found in the truck, which he rented a few days earlier and used for reconnaissance on the seafront. Besides the Albanian, six other people were being held over the carnage. Lahouaiej-Bouhlel's estranged wife, the mother of his three children, was released on Sunday after two days of questioning. Slow identification of victims: In Nice, many people were still desperately waiting for news of their loved ones. Prosecutors said just 52 victims had been officially identified so far as they take painstaking measures to avoid errors of identification seen during the Paris attacks last November. "We have no news, neither good nor bad," said Johanna, a Lithuanian who was looking for her two friends, aged 20. American student Nicolas Leslie, 20, who had been missing since the attack was confirmed dead on Sunday, the third known US fatality. At least 10 children were among the dead as well as tourists from Ukraine, Switzerland, Germany and about 10 people from Russia, a local Russian association said. Religious services and gatherings in memory of the victims took place in several French cities on Sunday. Health Minister Marisol Touraine said 85 people were still hospitalised, 18 of them in critical condition. 'Radicalised very quickly': Despite several brushes with the law for petty crime, Lahouaiej-Bouhlel had never appeared on the radar of intelligence services. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Saturday he "seemed to have been radicalised very quickly, from what his friends and family" told police. People who went to the same gym as Lahouaiej-Bouhlel -- where he took salsa dancing classes and lifted weights -- described him as a vain man who "flirted with anything that moved". The Islamic State group said one of its "soldiers" carried out the attack in response to its calls to target countries from the US-led coalition engaged in airstrikes against the group. Cazeneuve described the massacre as "a new kind of attack". "We are now confronted with individuals open to Islamic State's message to engage in extremely violent actions without necessarily having been trained or having the weapons to carry out a mass (casualty) attack," he said. Patriots called to volunteer: France's third major attack in the past 18 months has left the government fending off criticism over security failures and scrambling to reassure citizens about their safety. The frustration of the French was writ large in some of the messages left among flowers and tributes on Nice's seafront. "Enough with the speeches" and "Sick of carnage in our streets", the messages read. Cazeneuve called for volunteers to boost the security forces who were already on high alert under an eight-month-old state of emergency. "I want to call on all French patriots who wish to do so, to join this operational reserve," said Cazeneuve of a force currently made up of 12,000 volunteers aged between 17 and 30. The latest attack comes after a French parliamentary inquiry last week criticised numerous failings by the intelligence services following jihadist assaults in January and November last year. France is a prime target of IS, due to its role in fighting the group in Iraq and Syria, its emphasis on secular values, and what the government has admitted is a "social and ethnic apartheid" that alienates its large Muslim community. Hundreds of French jihadists have gone to fight alongside IS in Iraq and Syria. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian noted that IS had recently repeated calls for supporters to "directly attack the French, Americans, wherever they are and by whatever means". (AFP)

Nice Attack: Attacker staked out site for two days, accomplice suspected

The truck driver who rammed his vehicle into a massive crowd in Nice fired a pistol several times before being shot dead by police, a local official said on Friday. 
 
&quot;At the moment that he was shot dead by police, he had fired several times,&quot; said president of the region Christian Estrosi. 
 
A source close to the investigation said an &quot;inactive&quot; grenade was found inside the 19-tonne truck, as well as &quot;several fake rifles&quot;. 
 
Regional lawmaker Eric Ciotti described &quot;terrifying images, a scene of absolute horror, with many children among the dead&quot;. 
 
&quot;Families who were sharing a moment of leisure were targeted. It was a symbolic day in a symbolic place. That... motivated the attack,&quot; he said. 
 
At least 80 people were killed in the attack when the truck barrelled into a crowd after a fireworks display for Bastille Day. 
 
(AFP)

An 'inactive' grenade and 'several fake rifles' were found inside the truck

The truck driver who rammed his vehicle into a massive crowd in Nice fired a pistol several times before being shot dead by police, a local official said on Friday. "At the moment that he was shot dead by police, he had fired several times," said president of the region Christian Estrosi. A source close to the investigation said an "inactive" grenade was found inside the 19-tonne truck, as well as "several fake rifles". Regional lawmaker Eric Ciotti described "terrifying images, a scene of absolute horror, with many children among the dead". "Families who were sharing a moment of leisure were targeted. It was a symbolic day in a symbolic place. That... motivated the attack," he said. At least 80 people were killed in the attack when the truck barrelled into a crowd after a fireworks display for Bastille Day. (AFP)

Nice truck driver fired pistol several times before being shot dead