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Algeria hostage inquest: Judge returns first verdict as 'unlawful killing' | Algeria hostage inquest: Judge returns first verdict as 'unlawful killing' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The judge in the inquest into the deaths of seven British men killed in the 2013 Algerian hostage crisis has begun giving his verdicts. | The judge in the inquest into the deaths of seven British men killed in the 2013 Algerian hostage crisis has begun giving his verdicts. |
Returning his first verdict, Recorder of London Judge Nicholas Hilliard said Paul Morgan, 46, from Liverpool, was unlawfully killed by extremist gunfire. | |
On 16 January 2013, gunmen linked to al-Qaeda attacked the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria, taking staff hostage. | On 16 January 2013, gunmen linked to al-Qaeda attacked the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria, taking staff hostage. |
Over three days, 40 staff and at least 29 militants were killed. | Over three days, 40 staff and at least 29 militants were killed. |
Gunmen began the assault before dawn, taking numerous hostages and killing some workers, but the Algerian army regained control of the plant on 19 January. | |
There were about 130 foreign staff at the plant at the time of the attack. | |
The inquest heard that Mr Morgan, an ex-Foreign Legion soldier, had worked at In Amenas for some time and was experienced. | |
At 05:30 on the morning of the attack, Mr Morgan had been in the lead security vehicle of a convoy of buses carrying staff, Judge Hilliard said. | |
The driver of the vehicle said that as the convoy approached the gate to exit the compound, shots were fired, the coroner said. | |
Mr Morgan was hit by two bullets and shot through the head, he added. | |
The inquest heard that either shot would have been fatal. | |
Judge Hilliard recorded a verdict that Paul Morgan was killed by "terrorist gunfire" at 05:47 at In Amenas, and that he was unlawfully killed. | |
'Security breached' | |
The inquest heard that shortly before 06:00, a bullet hit a power line, cutting electricity to the plant. | |
A 4x4 Toyota vehicle carrying six armed militants was seen approaching, and one gunman got out and pushed the barrier to the compound up with ease, Mr Hilliard said. | |
"It's clear the security and living area had been breached quickly by the terrorists," he said. | |
"A terrorist was seen with a list of names and room numbers. | |
"The fact there was inside knowledge is backed up by the Algerian government" he said. | |
Additional security arrived to fight the attackers shortly after - but they were wearing casual clothing, which may have been "misleading", the Old Bailey heard. | |
The Algerian military arrived by about 06:30, Judge Hilliard said. | |
A firefight ensued in which a Norwegian worker was shot but managed to crawl to safety, he added. | |
Safety questions | |
The inquest at the Old Bailey has heard 70 witnesses over 30 days. | |
Over the course of the inquest, questions have been asked about site security at the site, and the response of the Algerian forces, the coroner said. | |
The plant was operated by three companies: Sonatreke, BP and Statoil. | |
Mr Morgan was part of a team that had carried out a six-monthly safety audit of the site, Mr Hilliard said. | |
The most recent security plan, carried out in January 2013, had recognised that an attack by extremists was a real risk, he said. | |
Guards were told not to challenge intruders but to report the intrusion, he said. | |
Perimeter barriers could simply be "driven round" and a manually operated sliding gate was often left open, the inquest heard. | |
It also heard that staff employed by BP did not receive any hostile environment training and security drills were rare. |