The wife of the Paris supermarket gunman may be in Syria, police sources have said.
Hayat Boumeddiene, 26, is partner of Amedy Coulibaly, who killed a policewoman and then four hostages at a kosher bakery.
A police source said she flew to Turkey via Madrid on January 2, despite alleged sightings of her in Paris on Thursday.
Authorities
in Istanbul then reported seeing a woman matching her description cross
the Turkey- Syria border on Thursday, the day her husband killed
policewoman Clarissa Jean-Phillipe.
in Istanbul then reported seeing a woman matching her description cross
the Turkey- Syria border on Thursday, the day her husband killed
policewoman Clarissa Jean-Phillipe.
Sources say she had a return ticket from Istanbul to Madrid for yesterday but failed to show for the flight.
Police
were today interrogating the wives of the Kouachi brothers responsible
for the Charlie Hebdo massacre in a bid to track down Boumeddiene.
were today interrogating the wives of the Kouachi brothers responsible
for the Charlie Hebdo massacre in a bid to track down Boumeddiene.
Hundreds
of phone calls between Boumeddiene and Izzana Hamyd, wife of Cherif
Kouachi, have shown up on mobile records. Five hundred in all were made
last year.
of phone calls between Boumeddiene and Izzana Hamyd, wife of Cherif
Kouachi, have shown up on mobile records. Five hundred in all were made
last year.
Radicalised: Hayat Boumeddiene (left)
pictured with her husband Amedy Coulibaly (right) who is one of the
three terrorists who brought France to a halt in 48 hours of bloodshed
pictured with her husband Amedy Coulibaly (right) who is one of the
three terrorists who brought France to a halt in 48 hours of bloodshed
‘Armed and dangerous’: It is becoming clear that the one-time cashier was radicalised after meeting the man she would marry
The wife or girlfriend of the older Kouachi brother, Said, is also being held.
French
Algerian Boumeddiene is now not thought to have been with Coulibaly at
any time in the Kosher Supermarket and to have fled immediately after
the killing.
Algerian Boumeddiene is now not thought to have been with Coulibaly at
any time in the Kosher Supermarket and to have fled immediately after
the killing.
Wearing
a skimpy bikini with her arms wrapped around her lover’s waist, this is
Boumeddiene before she turned into a jihadi killer’s accomplice and
became France’s most wanted woman.
a skimpy bikini with her arms wrapped around her lover’s waist, this is
Boumeddiene before she turned into a jihadi killer’s accomplice and
became France’s most wanted woman.
Photographs
of the ‘wife’ of the Kosher supermarket hostage killer reveal how she
was radicalised by the man she would go on to marry.
of the ‘wife’ of the Kosher supermarket hostage killer reveal how she
was radicalised by the man she would go on to marry.
Her husband Amedy Coulibaly is dead, one of the three terrorists who brought France to a halt in 48 hours of bloodshed.
Now, 26-year-old Boumeddiene is on the run and is believed to be ‘armed and dangerous’.
Coulibaly died in a hail of bullets along with four hostages in the storming of the Jewish supermarket.
The
couple ‘married’ in a religious ceremony after Boumedienne, who was
never seen without her veil, waited four years for him to come out of
jail following his conviction for armed robbery.
couple ‘married’ in a religious ceremony after Boumedienne, who was
never seen without her veil, waited four years for him to come out of
jail following his conviction for armed robbery.
The couple were never married in a civil ceremony – the only form of marriage legally accepted in France.
Jihadi couple: Boumeddiene (right)
walked away from a low-paid job as a cashier in 2009 and started
wearing a veil. She ‘devoted herself’ to Coulibaly (left)
walked away from a low-paid job as a cashier in 2009 and started
wearing a veil. She ‘devoted herself’ to Coulibaly (left)
‘Cool and composed’: Boumeddiene never
wavered under police cross examination. When told they knew she and
Coulibaly had visited Beghal at the same time as Cherif Kouachi and two
other convicted terrorists, she replied: ‘We went there for crossbow
practice’
wavered under police cross examination. When told they knew she and
Coulibaly had visited Beghal at the same time as Cherif Kouachi and two
other convicted terrorists, she replied: ‘We went there for crossbow
practice’
Cornered:
French police named the hostage taker as Amedy Coulibaly (left), 32, but
Boumeddiene (right), 26, is not thought to have been at his side at the
time
French police named the hostage taker as Amedy Coulibaly (left), 32, but
Boumeddiene (right), 26, is not thought to have been at his side at the
time
Stunned: A 27-year-old Coulibaly
(pictured) once ‘gushed’ with excitement when he was hand-picked to meet
former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy
(pictured) once ‘gushed’ with excitement when he was hand-picked to meet
former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy
While Coulibaly had a well documented track record, details of Boumeddiene’s troubled childhood are only now emerging.
Like her husband she was born into a large family, seven children, in 1988 but when she was just six years old, her mother died.
The
eldest children left home, according to reports in Le Parisien, and
social workers took over. It is suggested that Boumeddiene may have been
put into care.
eldest children left home, according to reports in Le Parisien, and
social workers took over. It is suggested that Boumeddiene may have been
put into care.
Estranged from her father, she met him briefly once more and introduced him to Coulibaly.
But all may not have been as settled as the young woman, radicalised by her husband, thought.
It is understood he had made it clear he wanted to take a second wife, according to other reports.
Today,
questioned by police at his home in Nanterre, a Paris suburb,
Boumeddiene’s father is said to be shocked and unable to believe that
his daughter was involved with the terrorist cell.
questioned by police at his home in Nanterre, a Paris suburb,
Boumeddiene’s father is said to be shocked and unable to believe that
his daughter was involved with the terrorist cell.
But it is becoming clear that the one-time cashier was radicalised after meeting the man she would marry.
She
is from an Algerian background and altered her surname to ‘make it
sound more French’, according to an investigating source.
is from an Algerian background and altered her surname to ‘make it
sound more French’, according to an investigating source.
She
told police who interviewed her as part of their inquiries into
Coulibaly’s murky dealings with Islamic extremists that she had walked
away from a low-paid job as a cashier in the Juvisy suburb of Paris in
2009 and taken the veil. She ‘devoted herself’ to Coulibaly.
told police who interviewed her as part of their inquiries into
Coulibaly’s murky dealings with Islamic extremists that she had walked
away from a low-paid job as a cashier in the Juvisy suburb of Paris in
2009 and taken the veil. She ‘devoted herself’ to Coulibaly.
Interrogated
by police in 2010, Boumeddiene said she was inspired by her husband and
the radicals she lived with to ‘read a lot of books on religion and
because of this, I came to ask questions on religion’.
by police in 2010, Boumeddiene said she was inspired by her husband and
the radicals she lived with to ‘read a lot of books on religion and
because of this, I came to ask questions on religion’.
‘When
I saw the massacre of the innocents in Palestine, in Iraq, in Chetchna,
in Afghanistan or anywhere the Americans sent their bombers, all that…
well, who are the terrorists?’
I saw the massacre of the innocents in Palestine, in Iraq, in Chetchna,
in Afghanistan or anywhere the Americans sent their bombers, all that…
well, who are the terrorists?’
She added that when Americans killed innocents, it was the right of men to defend their women and children.
Always cool and composed, Boumeddiene never wavered under police cross examination.
Going in: Special forces storm the
Jewish grocery to the east of Paris where terrorist Amedey Coulibaly had
taken at least seven people hostage
Jewish grocery to the east of Paris where terrorist Amedey Coulibaly had
taken at least seven people hostage
Chilling: The body of a man can be seen at the entrance of the Jewish supermarket after it was stormed by commandos
Terrified: Hostages – who had been
held for hours with Coulibaly threatening to kill them – flee from the
shop, crying with relief
held for hours with Coulibaly threatening to kill them – flee from the
shop, crying with relief
Wanted: Police issued this picture
describing the couple as suspects in the shooting dead of a female
police officer at Montrouge
describing the couple as suspects in the shooting dead of a female
police officer at Montrouge
When
told that they knew she and Coulibaly had visited Beghal at the same
time as Cherif Kouachi and two other convicted terrorists, jihadi
recruiter Ahmed Laidouni, and Farid Melouk of GIA, she replied: ‘We went
there for crossbow practice.’
told that they knew she and Coulibaly had visited Beghal at the same
time as Cherif Kouachi and two other convicted terrorists, jihadi
recruiter Ahmed Laidouni, and Farid Melouk of GIA, she replied: ‘We went
there for crossbow practice.’
The
couple lived in nearby Bagneux, where they were known as a devoutly
religious couple, despite Coulibaly’s regular run-ins with the law.
couple lived in nearby Bagneux, where they were known as a devoutly
religious couple, despite Coulibaly’s regular run-ins with the law.
To neighbours the pair were quiet, respectful and normal and had even gone on a holiday to Malaysia together.
But a month ago they simply disappeared from their suburban house until flashed across the world’s screens today.
Coulibaly murdered at least four hostages at the Kosher supermarket in Paris, according to Reuters news agency.
He is believed to be part of an Al Qaeda terror cell linked to a British-based jihadi extremist, Djamel Beghal.
The
50-year-old preacher, who recruited terrorists while worshipping at
London’s Finsbury Park mosque, met Cherif Kouachi while in prison in
Paris.
50-year-old preacher, who recruited terrorists while worshipping at
London’s Finsbury Park mosque, met Cherif Kouachi while in prison in
Paris.
Armed: Dozens of police officers took refuge outside the Kosher bakery in Vincennes, where Ademy Coulibaly was holding hostages
Siege: French police, with weapons in hand, head to yet another terror attack in Paris
Ultimatum: The hostage taker threatened to kill the remaining captives if the Charlie Hebdo attackers were raided
Coulibaly
has a long history of both petty and serious crimes. The only boy born
in a family of ten in Juvisy, Essonne, he first came to police attention
as a 17-year-old delinquent.
has a long history of both petty and serious crimes. The only boy born
in a family of ten in Juvisy, Essonne, he first came to police attention
as a 17-year-old delinquent.
Convictions
for theft and drug offences followed. In September 2002 in Orleans,
Loiret, he was arrested for the armed robbery of a bank.
for theft and drug offences followed. In September 2002 in Orleans,
Loiret, he was arrested for the armed robbery of a bank.
It’s
believed he became involved with the younger of the Kouachi brothers,
Cherif, when he was part of a jihadist recruitment ring in Paris that
sent fighters to join the conflict in Iraq. Kouachi was subsequently
sentenced to three years in prison.
believed he became involved with the younger of the Kouachi brothers,
Cherif, when he was part of a jihadist recruitment ring in Paris that
sent fighters to join the conflict in Iraq. Kouachi was subsequently
sentenced to three years in prison.
The
two sieges by suspected Islamic terrorists played out at the same time,
as fears grew that they would be looking to cause another bloodbath.
two sieges by suspected Islamic terrorists played out at the same time,
as fears grew that they would be looking to cause another bloodbath.
Coulibaly is believed to be the one responsible for shooting a policewoman dead in south Paris on Thursday.
Suspects:
The three men were named as Cherif Kouachi (left), 32, his brother Said
Kouachi (right), 34, and Hamyd Mourad, 18, of Gennevilliers
The three men were named as Cherif Kouachi (left), 32, his brother Said
Kouachi (right), 34, and Hamyd Mourad, 18, of Gennevilliers
Surveillance: A French army helicopter flies over the industrial area where Charlie Hebdo massacre suspects were hiding
Cornered: French special forces are
pictured in Corcy, near Villers-Cotterets, where the Kouachi brothers
were believed to be hiding
pictured in Corcy, near Villers-Cotterets, where the Kouachi brothers
were believed to be hiding
On the run: French police surrounded
an area north-east of Paris where the armed men, who killed 12 people in
Paris on Wednesday, were believed to be hiding
an area north-east of Paris where the armed men, who killed 12 people in
Paris on Wednesday, were believed to be hiding
The
revelation led police to link it to the murder of 12 people around the
offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine on Wednesday.
revelation led police to link it to the murder of 12 people around the
offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine on Wednesday.
‘He was in the same Buttes Chaumount cell as the Kouachi brothers,’ said a source close to the investigation.
‘He was friends of both of them.’
Both
Said Kouachi, 34, and his brother, Cherif Kouachi, 32 – who have been
killed in a building north of Paris – were first arrested in 2005
Said Kouachi, 34, and his brother, Cherif Kouachi, 32 – who have been
killed in a building north of Paris – were first arrested in 2005
They
were suspected members of the Buttes Chaumont – a group operating out
of the 19th arrondissement of Paris and sending terrorist fighters to
Iraq.
were suspected members of the Buttes Chaumont – a group operating out
of the 19th arrondissement of Paris and sending terrorist fighters to
Iraq.
Cherif
was convicted in 2008 to three years in prison, with 18 months
suspended, for his association with the underground organisation.
was convicted in 2008 to three years in prison, with 18 months
suspended, for his association with the underground organisation.
He
had wanted to fly to Iraq via Syria, and was found with a manual for a
Kalashnikov – the automatic weapon used in Wednesday’s attack.
had wanted to fly to Iraq via Syria, and was found with a manual for a
Kalashnikov – the automatic weapon used in Wednesday’s attack.
Said
was freed after questioning by police, but – like his brother – was
known to have been radicalised after the Iraq War of 2003, when
Anglo-American forces deposed Saddam Hussein.
was freed after questioning by police, but – like his brother – was
known to have been radicalised after the Iraq War of 2003, when
Anglo-American forces deposed Saddam Hussein.
Both brothers were said to be infuriated by the killing of Muslims by western soldiers and war planes.
Taking position: Special forces snipers fix their gaze on the position of the Kouachi brothers
Hostile force: Police take their positions around the Kouachi brothers’ location in Dammartin-en-Goele
Calm before the storm: Police rendezvous near the Kouachi brothers’ location before launching their attack
Vincent
Olliviers, Cherif’s lawyer at the time, described him as initially
being an ‘apprentice loser – a delivery boy in a cap who smoked hashish
and delivered pizzas to buy his drugs.
Olliviers, Cherif’s lawyer at the time, described him as initially
being an ‘apprentice loser – a delivery boy in a cap who smoked hashish
and delivered pizzas to buy his drugs.
But
Mr Ollivier said the ‘clueless kid who did not know what to do with his
life met people who gave him the feeling of being important’.
Mr Ollivier said the ‘clueless kid who did not know what to do with his
life met people who gave him the feeling of being important’.
Belkacem
was a leading members of the GIA, or Armed Islamic Army – an Algerian
terror outfit responsible for numerous atrocities.
was a leading members of the GIA, or Armed Islamic Army – an Algerian
terror outfit responsible for numerous atrocities.
The Kouachi brothers, who are orphans, were radicalised by an Iman operating in northern Paris.
They
were raised in foster care in Rennes, in western France, with Cherif
training as a fitness instructor before moving to Paris.
were raised in foster care in Rennes, in western France, with Cherif
training as a fitness instructor before moving to Paris.
They
lived in the 19th arrondissement and were radicalised by Farid
Benyettou, a janitor-turned-preacher who gave sermons calling for jihad
in Iraq and suicide bombings.
lived in the 19th arrondissement and were radicalised by Farid
Benyettou, a janitor-turned-preacher who gave sermons calling for jihad
in Iraq and suicide bombings.
The
Kouachis share similar backgrounds to Mohammed Merah, the 23-year-old
French Algerian responsible for murdering seven people, including four
Jews and three Muslim soldiers, in the Toulouse area in 2012.
Kouachis share similar backgrounds to Mohammed Merah, the 23-year-old
French Algerian responsible for murdering seven people, including four
Jews and three Muslim soldiers, in the Toulouse area in 2012.
Merah,
who was himself shot dead by police, had also been left to operate as a
terrorist in France, despite the authorities knowing he had trained
with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
who was himself shot dead by police, had also been left to operate as a
terrorist in France, despite the authorities knowing he had trained
with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
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