Known in France for having sheltered Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Chakib Akrouh, two members of the commando responsible for the November 13, 2015 attacks, Jawad Bendaoud has opened a fast-food restaurant in Agadir, Morocco. The establishment, named "Chez Jawad," began operations in recent days and features a menu of burgers, sandwiches, and fries.
A name that immediately sparks a reaction
The restaurant's opening quickly sparked numerous reactions on social media, where photos of the storefront and logo were widely shared. The image features Jawad Bendaoud himself, accompanied by the name "Chez Jawad French Fast Food." This initiative comes several years after the legal proceedings that brought Jawad Bendaoud into the public eye in France.
A figure associated with the November 13, 2015 attacks
Jawad Bendaoud became famous after renting an apartment in Saint-Denis to Abdelhamid Abaaoud and Chakib Akrouh, members of the commando responsible for the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris and Saint-Denis. The two men had taken refuge in this apartment before the police raid on November 18, 2015. During his arrest, Jawad Bendaoud uttered the now-famous phrase: "I didn't know they were terrorists." This statement had made a strong impression on public opinion and largely contributed to his media notoriety.
Several convictions by the courts
In November 2017, Jawad Bendaoud was acquitted of charges of harboring terrorists, the court finding that it had not been established that he knew the criminal intentions of the apartment's occupants. However, he was convicted in other cases, notably for harboring drug traffickers and for various offenses unrelated to terrorism.
A new activity in Agadir
Based in Agadir, Jawad Bendaoud is now venturing into the fast-food industry with his brand "Chez Jawad." The first images released show an establishment specializing in "French Fast Food," with marketing heavily focused on his name and image. The restaurant's opening comes more than 10 years after the November 13, 2015 attacks, which killed 130 people and injured hundreds in France.
