On Tuesday morning the four defendants' lawyers submitted their final pleas before sentencing. The prosecutor will also submit a recommendation for sentencing.
The lawyer of the first defendant, who had described himself as the organiser of the hostage case, said his client had not shied away from responsibility. In terms of preparing to carry out the crime, much of it was improvised, with the perpetrators using false weapons and making a fishing vest pass for a vest with explosives. Dividing the bounty led to disagreements among the perpetrators. The lawyer argued the lack of planning and consequent chaos meant the crime was not wholly premeditated and refuted the charges of criminal conspiracy.
According to his lawyer, although the main defendant was considered in charge of the crime, he had no control over his accomplices. The lawyer requested his client benefit from mitigating circumstances, bearing in mind his confession and his behaviour towards the hostages, and demanded his client not be served with a maximum sentence.
The second defendant's lawyer maintained his client had played just a small role in the case and should also be exempt from charges of criminal conspiracy.
Seven years ago, it was first the director of a trust who was assaulted at home by the perpetrators. The two main defendants then brought jewellers to the company's premises in order to steal valuable watches. Finally, they left for Paris with a hostage in tow.
The trial is expected to end on Wednesday.
