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Sarah Halimi's family to seek Israeli trial, lawyers say

Lawyers representing the victim’s Israeli sister, Esther Lekover, said they will lodge a complaint in Israel

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Sarah Halimi’s sister is set to file a legal complaint in Israel against her killer who was recently found criminally not responsible by a French court. 

Ms Halimi died in 2017 aged 65 after being pushed from her Parisian apartment window by her neighbour Kobili Traoré, who has since remained in psychiatric care. 

He had shouted  ‘Allahu Akbar’ before the attack.
 
Lawyers representing the victim’s Israeli sister, Esther Lekover, said they will lodge a complaint in Israel where some  antisemitic offences committed abroad may also be prosecuted.

Gilles-William Goldnadel and Francis Szpiner said they “deplored” having to take the step but “could not accept a denial of justice which offends reason and fairness far beyond France’s Jewish community.”

They also expressed their “consternation” at the cour de Cassation’s recent ruling. 

The top French court confirmed last week Mr Traoré could not stand trial because he could not be deemed criminally responsible due to his mental state. 
 
It said that Mr Traoré had fallen prey to a “delirious fit” during the attack due to his consumption of cannabis. 

The ruling sparked anger among Jewish groups and French President Emmanuel Macron, who called for a change in the law. 

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