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An American man who was to testify about his role in the capture of an “Islamic State” operation aboard a high-speed train was hospitalized, according to his lawyer.
Spencer Stone helped prevent a possible mass carnage on a fast train from Amsterdam to Paris in 2015.
His lawyer, Thibault de Montbrial, has said that his witness was hospitalized after he flew to Paris.
French lawyer Thibault de Montbrial represents American soldiers who helped thwart a terrorist attack on an Amsterdam-Paris train in 2015
It is unclear what exactly happened to Stone, with his representation citing medical privacy.
Stone, a 23-year-old American aviator at the time, was among several passengers who helped subdue the attacker Ayoub El Khazzani on the train.
His actions inspired Clint Eastwood to direct the Hollywood film 3:17 PM in Paris based on the attack.
Eastwood was denied the opportunity to testify by a French court yesterday.
It was thought that he could argue the authenticity of the scenes in his film.
The actor-turned-director cast the starring Americans – Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler – to play themselves in his 2018 film, based on a book published by the three friends recounting their experience.
Americans who helped thwart a terrorist attack receive the Actor / Director Clint Eastwood Hero Award in 2016.
On the first day of the trial, November 17, Mr. De Montbrial, representing the Americans, said that “the terrorist attack could have killed up to 300 people depending on the amount of ammunition found.”
He added that, given the scale of what may have happened, it was “one of the most terrifying Islamist terrorist attacks of 2015.”
Meanwhile, El Khazzani’s defense attorney Sarah Mauger-Poliak said her client was eager to show how sorry she was.
Spencer Stone was unable to testify for medical reasons, according to her attorney
She said, “I think there is some impatience on your part to show your remorse.”
Sarah Mauger-Poliak added that El Khazzani wanted to speak to the families of the victims, if the judge would allow it.
El Khazzani, 31, is charged with attempted terrorist murder for the botched attack. Three alleged accomplices are also on trial.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
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