Inside the Majdi N. Trial #7: Audition of Expert Criminal Justice Social Worker on Majdi N.’s Personal Background
Court of Assize – Paris, France
Trial Monitoring Summary #7
Hearing Date: May 6, 2025
CAUTION: Some testimony may include graphic descriptions of torture, rape or other violent acts.
Note that this summary is not a verbatim transcript of the trial; it is merely an unofficial summary of the proceedings.
Throughout this summary, [information located in brackets are notes from our trial monitor] and “information placed in quotes are statements made by the witness, judges or counsel.” The names and identifying information of witnesses have been redacted.
[Note: SJAC provides a summary of the proceedings while redacting certain details to protect witness privacy and to preserve the integrity of the trial.]
[Note: Rather than publishing the trial reports of the Majdi N. case in chronological order, SJAC has organized them thematically and coherently based on the content of the hearings, making the material more accessible by highlighting key issues and connections across the proceedings.]
SJAC’s 7th trial monitoring report details a part of day 4 (afternoon) of the trial of Majdi N. in Paris, France. On this trial day, expert criminal justice social worker E2 reported information she gathered from meeting with Majdi N. in detention and from discussions she had with his brother F4, with researcher Thomas Pierret, W3, and with F2, a friend of the Accused who lives in the US. E2 described a rather positive family environment and reported that according to most people, Majdi N. was charismatic, cultured, and sociable. E2 mentioned Majdi N.’s detention in Assad’s prison, specifying he reportedly was not subjected to torture. Based on her statement, the Court clarified the dates of Majdi N.’s semester of study in Budapest. E2 further reported that F2 financed Majdi N.'s studies and had promised his daughter to the Accused in marriage. However, the latter died unexpectedly. Counsel Bailly took the occasion of E2’s testimony to mention a transcript of a conversation between Majdi N. and his mother which suggested pressure was exerted on potential witnesses upon Majdi N.’s request.
Day 4 – May 6, 2025
Afternoon Session
Expert criminal justice social worker [redacted name] E2 testified that she had no links with the Accused nor with the Civil Parties.
E2 was sworn in, and Presiding Judge Lavergne authorized her to read notes while testifying.
E2 testified that she met Majdi N. in January 2021 at La Santé prison and was assisted by an interpreter. She mentioned his arrival in France in November 2019 and said she had no detail about the place he stayed at in Marseille. His main residence was in Turkey, at his parental home. Majdi N. studied international politics. E2 met Majdi N. and had also had conversations with his brother [redacted name] F4, with researcher Thomas Pierret, W3, and [redacted name] F2, a friend of the Accused who lives in the USA and whom Majdi N. met on social media.
E2 recalled Majdi N. was born on May 25, 1988 [in Saudi Arabia], and when he turned four, his family went back to Syria. E2 reported that Majdi N. is the fifth of six siblings and described a rather positive family environment. The father worked as a caregiver and was also an entrepreneur in the construction industry, and the mother worked as a teacher. Majdi N. reported that his parents were very committed to education. E2 also noted that Majdi N.’s brothers and sisters are all graduates and hold professions such as doctors, engineers, and teachers. The Accused described harmonious relationships within the family, and E2 described him as cheerful and assertive.
E2 further recalled that Majdi N.'s brother F4 was detained in Syria for five years due to political reasons. The Accused began his studies in Damascus, in a geology curriculum, but aspired to join medical school, following his brother’s example. However, his path was interrupted by his military service, in which he was in charge of communications in Kherbeh خربة [probably in Homs governorate]. Reportedly due to his political beliefs—and the family’s overall political engagement—Majdi N. then decided to defect and join the Free Syrian Army.
E2 stated that the Accused joined Jaysh Al-Islam around 2012, adopting the pseudonym [Islam] Alloush. He quickly became the spokesperson and led several operations, including against the base where he had been serving [in the Syrian army]. In 2016, after Zahran Alloush’s death, he left the group, as he no longer politically agreed with the new leader. However, E2 clarified that according to Thomas Pierret, Majdi N. was rather pushed out of the group after an interview with [Israeli] journalist [Elizabeth Tsurkov. See Trial Report #2 and Trial Report #5].
E2 reported that in 2016, after leaving Jaysh Al-Islam, Majdi N. went to live with his family in Turkey, where he started a degree in geopolitics. He achieved excellent results, which enabled him to participate in an exchange program at Budapest University. Upon his return, he wrote a letter stating that he was severing all ties with Jaysh Al-Islam. He continued his political studies with the ambition of obtaining a master's degree either in Europe or the United States. He soon had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus program in France.
According to most people E2 spoke to, Majdi N. was described as charismatic, cultured, and sociable. His friend in the USA, F2, had emphasized his piety and knowledge of religious texts. F2 had explained that he had promised Majdi N. could marry his 20-year-old daughter, and E2 commented it was an arranged marriage. Thomas Pierret had described the Accused as capable of flexibility in religious matters, as he could for instance eat non-halal meat. E2 reported Majdi N.’s insistence on his strong belief in values of freedom and democracy, especially those upheld by France. He pursues excellence and aims to carry out projects that seem quite significant, E2 noted. Thomas Pierret had mentioned that [in the context of the Erasmus program in France], Majdi N. had quickly ventured into organizing meetings with international personalities, but this approach was inappropriate, as such meetings were generally arranged by professors.
In conclusion, E2 said that Majdi N. kept the pseudonym "Islam Alloush" for four years. He chose to sever ties [with Jaysh Al-Islam] in 2016 to resume his studies. He then arrived in France as part of an Erasmus exchange program.
Presiding Judge Lavergne’s Questioning of E2
Presiding Judge Lavergne referred to E2’s testimony that Majdi N.’s family were political opponents and that his father and brother conducted activities against the Syrian regime. E2 confirmed, and Presiding Judge Lavergne expressed his surprise, stressing Majdi N. had just declared during an earlier interrogation [Trial Report #9] that his father was not involved in politics. E2 confirmed Majdi N.’s mention of political activities, but to her, he rather referred to demonstrations, adding that he remained evasive when questioned about his brother.
Questioned about his detention, E2 confirmed that Majdi N. had said to have been detained for a few months before his military service. However, due to insufficient evidence, he was released. E2 indicated that Majdi N. described his detention as relatively peaceful, noting that some Islamist individuals were tortured, but he himself had not been subjected to torture.
Presiding Judge Lavergne then asked if, following his detention, Majdi N. immediately joined the military. E2 responded that Majdi N. had likely been detained in 2009 and completed his military service in 2010, so the timeline was quite close. E2 understood that the role of the communication unit Majdi N. joined was to detect messages being sent by various individuals, involving interception and intelligence gathering. E2 confirmed the military service took place in the city of Kherbeh [probably in Homs Governorate] but did not know if it was located in Eastern Ghouta or close to the prison of Adra.
Shifting to Majdi N.’s studies, E2 confirmed he reportedly achieved excellent results. Responding to Presiding Judge Lavergne, she repeated he studied in Istanbul between 2016 and 2019 and then left for Hungary. Presiding Judge Lavergne directly questioned the Accused about dates, and Majdi N. said he was in Turkey in September or October 2015 and traveled to Hungary in Winter 2018, or maybe 2017, and stayed there for one semester. Majdi N. confirmed to Presiding Judge Lavergne that his dates of stay in Budapest were likely from December 2017 to May 2018. Defense Counsel Ruiz referenced a recommendation letter from Budapest University dated November 19, 2018 that was issued after his studies there. Defense Counsel Kempf added that another document from Budapest University, listing his grades, was dated February 2017. Responding to Presiding Judge Lavergne, Majdi N. said he stayed in Budapest for six months.
Presiding Judge Lavergne inquired about an interview Majdi N. had given to the New York Times. E2 confirmed he had mentioned it, stressing Majdi N. reported to be very engaged on political questions. Majdi N. confirmed the interview did take place and was published before he arrived in France. Prosecutor Havard added that it was dated April 14, 2019, and confirmed it was available in the case file.
Presiding Judge Lavergne then questioned E2 about [redacted name] F2. E2 repeated her testimony of how they met, adding that Majdi N. and F2 exchanged views on Syria’s politics. She explained that F2 had financed Majdi N.'s studies to the tune of several thousand euros and confirmed that his daughter had been promised in marriage to the Accused. When asked by the Presiding Judge to provide more details, Majdi N. said F2 was a Syrian revolutionary and a close friend, adding that since they met in 2013, they talked more or less every day. He confirmed they never met in person but communicated via social media. Majdi N. declared that F2 had no connection with Jaysh Al-Islam and since he lived in the USA, he could not come back to Syria. Presiding Judge Lavergne remarked that F2 was apparently his benefactor and wondered what his professional activity was. Majdi N. responded that F2 sold cars and, on the political side [ناحية سياسية], he was involved in humanitarian aid [إنسانية]. Majdi N. ignored Presiding Judge Lavergne’s question if F2 led a humanitarian organization, and instead said he believed F2 was a political refugee [in the US]. He added that F2 was a Syrian of Palestinian background, noting that this community could not access citizenship after the creation of the State of Israel. In Arabic, Majdi N. said Nakbah نكبة [‘the catastrophe’], and an incident between Counsel Kempf and the interpreter followed regarding the correct translation of that term. Presiding Judge Lavergne suspended the proceedings.
[15-minutes break]
Presiding Judge Lavergne summarized that F2 arrived in Syria after an event bearing a term laden with significance, as it refers not only to the creation of the State of Israel but also, for many Palestinians, marks the beginning of a deeply painful era. Majdi N. agreed to this description.
Presiding Judge Lavergne reported that F2 always stood by Majdi N. and was the only person who asked to visit him, which the Accused confirmed, although pointing out that his own family could not visit him because they simply could not obtain visas to travel to France. Majdi N. indicated that he communicated with F2 on Skype or Whatsapp, and Presiding Judge Lavergne wondered if Majdi N.’s still received correspondence in detention, which he denied. Majdi N. also indicated that F2’s daughter, who was promised to him in marriage, had died.
Civil Parties’ Counsels Questioning of E2
Questioned by Counsel Bailly about her experience, E2 explained she used to be a criminal justice social worker for two years but had quit three years ago. She confirmed she met various profiles, who in most cases had few resources. Responding to Counsel Bailly, she indicated that Majdi N. had not left such an impression and reported that he portrayed himself as coming from a privileged socio-economic background and a family that valued education and academic achievement.
Counsel Bailly reported that Majdi N. received a sum of 900 euros to support him during his detention and wondered if that was a lot. He further mentioned the order dated January 20, 2023 extending the Accused’s pre-trial detention, which indicated that his family was ready to pay the bail of 200,000 euros. E2 explained she did not have this kind of information about the people she interviewed and had met Majdi N. in 2021 [before the bail was mentioned].
Counsel Bailly inquired if Majdi N. was precise about his role in Jaysh Al-Islam, and E2 reported he presented himself as a spokesperson and denied any mention of being a commander of training camps or having a role in a policy or moral office. Counsel Bailly wondered if E2 knew how Majdi N. financed his travels to Düsseldorf, Paris, Budapest, and Geneva. E2 replied she did not ask that question as she supposed he benefited from scholarships, and his parents seemed to have the means to support his educational needs. Majdi N. had made no mention that Jaysh Al-Islam planned to finance his studies.
Regarding his family, E2 reported Majdi N. missed them, and she had not asked if they had regular contact. Counsel Bailly referenced an order that indicated Majdi N. disregarded prior warnings related to his telephone communications so that the right to contact his mother by phone was withdrawn. Counsel Bailly indicated that this decision also resulted from the extensively documented atmosphere of pressure [on witnesses] through social media and aimed at preventing witness tampering. Counsel Bailly further mentioned an official transcript of a telephone conversation dated June 7, 2022, where Majdi N. required his mother to ask a man called [redacted name] to contact potential witnesses and identify those who were unwilling to cooperate. In the same conversation, Majdi N. said that, upon his release, he would settle scores with all individuals who had refused to testify on his behalf. E2 had nothing to say in response, emphasizing that her encounter with Majdi N. occurred prior to that. An altercation between Defense Counsel Ruiz and Counsel Bailly followed, with Counsel Ruiz arguing that the conversation between Majdi N. and his mother had been summarized and not transcribed verbatim. Counsel Bailly retorted that the prison deputy head made the exact same declaration that Majdi N. used his phone illegally to stir up attention around his case.
Defense Counsel’s Questioning of E2
Counsel Ruiz wondered if Majdi N. was evasive about his former role, and E2 replied he had said that he had belonged to Jaysh Al-Islam. She further acknowledged that language could have represented a barrier preventing emotional connection.
Responding to Counsel Ruiz, E2 said she had never met people described as religious extremists before. Counsel Ruiz contended that some individuals that could be characterized as such struggled to speak with a woman and wondered if Majdi N. seemed defiant. E2 denied this, emphasizing that he was respectful and cooperative. She further insisted that Majdi N. reportedly joined inclusive political organizations that were both gender-diverse and religiously diverse. Counsel Ruiz asked if she was referring to the fact that Majdi N. was arrested [by the Syrian government] together with people of various religious beliefs, which E2 confirmed.
Proceedings continued in the same afternoon with the second half of the interrogation of Majdi N. on his personality [Trial Report #9].