Musician tells Paris terror trial he FORGIVES Bataclan ISIS attackers

Eagles of Death Metal frontman tells Paris terror trial he FORGIVES Bataclan ISIS attackers who slaughtered 90 people during concert and says ‘you can’t kill rock ‘n’ roll’

• Jesse Hughes, 49, said he ‘forgives’ Bataclan ISIS attackers who killed 90 in 2015
• He had quoted musician Ozzy Osborne, saying that ‘you can’t kill rock ‘n’ roll’ 
• Mr Hughes told reporters that he hopes the attackers ‘find the peace of God’ 

The frontman of an American rock band which was playing while gunmen attacked the Bataclan concert hall in Paris in 2015 has today told a trial that he ‘forgives’ the ISIS attackers who killed 90 people at the gig.

Quoting fellow musician Ozzy Osborne – Jesse Hughes, 49, of Eagles of Death Metal – added that ‘you can’t kill rock ‘n’ roll’ in his testimony, dressed in a black suit and tie.

He told reporters: ‘I’m a Christian and everyone can be lost and everyone needs to find the way and most of the gentlemen in there do, so I forgive them and I hope that they find the peace of God themselves.’

France’s biggest-ever criminal trial is hearing evidence against the only surviving member of the Islamic State suicide team that attacked restaurants, bars, the Bataclan and the national sports stadium.

The main defendant, Salah Abdeslam – who was arrested in Belgium after five months on the run – has explained how he abandoned plans to blow himself up and has apologised to victims.

Jesse Hughes, 49, of Eagles of Death Metal, told reporters: ‘I’m a Christian and everyone can be lost and everyone needs to find the way and most of the gentlemen in there do…’

His tearful appeal for forgiveness last month contrasted with his defiance at the start of the trial when he refused to recognise the authority of the judge or answer questions.

Nearly 20 others are answering charges ranging from providing logistical support to planning the attacks, as well as supplying weapons.

Mr Hughes told the court that he recognised the sound of gunfire instantly when the three gunmen with suicide vests burst in mid-show – and said his life had changed forever following the attack.

The main defendant, Salah Abdeslam – who was arrested in Belgium after five months on the run – has explained how he abandoned plans to blow himself up and has apologised to victims

A woman being evacuated from the Bataclan concert hall after a shooting in Paris in November, 2015

But he said the attackers had not succeeded in their goal of depriving people of the joy they feel from listening to music.

‘You can’t kill rock’n’roll,’ he said, quoting fellow rocker Ozzy Osbourne.

After his brief appearance in the witness box, he embraced fellow witnesses and victims who were following proceedings at the court complex in central Paris, ending up in tears himself.

The right-wing rocker, who was a supporter of US President Donald Trump, caused dismay in France in the aftermath of the attacks by suggesting that Muslim security staff were involved and that Muslims were celebrating outside the venue.

Rescue workers help a woman after a shooting, outside the Bataclan theatre in Paris in November 2015

Mr Hughes was barred from the Bataclan re-opening concert in 2016 as a result.

He later apologised for his remarks and withdrew them, saying he had been struggling from nightmares and mental health problems.

Despite his experience at the Bataclan, Mr Hughes is also an outspoken pro-gun advocate in the United States.

Asked why he was now ready to forgive the attackers, he told reporters: ‘I was never out of the mood of forgiveness. But I’ve just worked through it.’

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