The biggest trial in France's modern history opened on Wednesday of 20 suspects charged over the November 2015 Paris attacks that saw 130 people killed, with the expected nine months of hearings set to reopen still raw wounds.

The suicide bombing and gun assault by three teams of jihadists on bars, restaurants and the Bataclan music venue - planned in Syria and later claimed by the Islamic State group - was the worst post-war atrocity on French territory.

The only surviving attacker, Salah Abdeslam, was present as proceedings opened under tight security at a purpose-built facility at the historic court of justice on the Ile de la Cite in central Paris.

A total of 14 defendants are being tried in person and six others in absentia. Twelve of the 20 people on trial, including Abdeslam, face life sentences if convicted.

The trial will last until May 2022 with 145 days of scheduled hearings involving about 330 lawyers, 300 victims and testimony in November from Francois Hollande, who was French president at the time of the attacks.

One of the survivors of the attack on the Bataclan concert hall recalled the events of November 13 2015. Watch the video to hear his story.

Read more on this story here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/09/08/france-begins-marathon-trial-november-2015-paris-attacks/

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