Carlos the Jackal on trial in France for 80s attacks

Carlos the Jackal, real name Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, went on trial for terrorism-linked charges on Monday in Paris.

The 62-year-old Venezuelan had been charged with the instigation of four attacks which killed 11 people and injured more than 140 in France in 1982 and 1983.

Carlos the Jackal has denied all allegations.

Wife and lawyer of the Venezuelan, Isabelle Coutant-Peyre said that Ramirez was in “fighting spirits” even while serving a life sentence for committing a triple murder in 1975.

Coutant-Pevre said that Ramirez had been kidnapped by French authorities and accused them of using the trial for propaganda purposes.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez insisted that the rights of the accused should be respected during his trial in France. Chavez had previously said he did not view Ramirez as a terrorist but rather as a “revolutionary fighter”.