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Controversy over ex French hostage broken silence on Brussels al-Qaeda killer

A French journalist who was held hostage by extremists in Syria says gunman Mehdi Nemmouche was one of his captors. But critics say he should have kept schtum. 

Mehdi Nemmouche
Mehdi Nemmouche France 24
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The information should have been kept a secret, but Nicolas Henin decided to break his silence yesterday in the "interest of the public," he said at a press conference.

One of four journalists held hostage by Islamic extremists in Syria, he was released in April and has kept quiet about Mehdi Nemmouche's role as a captor, until now.

But he decided to speak out following a publication yesterday in Le Monde, and because, he says, the public has a right to know.

Henin describes Nemmouche -suspected of shooting 4 people dead at the Jewish Museum in Brussels in May -as sadistic, who took delight in torturing prisoners.

His revelations have shocked many, including his former hostage mate Didier François of Le Figaro, who describes them as "completely irresponsible."

Speaking on French news channel BFM TV, Francois raised concern that Henin's remarks could endanger the lives of other prisoners still held hostage in Syria.

As association of victims of terrorism added that Henin's remarks could encourage captors to be even more violent against hostages.

Nemmouche was arrested in France six days after the shootings in Brusssels. He was extradited to Belgium at the beginning of August, and is to appear in court there next week.

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