Ismaël Gamaev Sentenced on Terrorism Charges Linked to Samuel Paty Murder

Ismaël Gamaev was sentenced for terrorism during the first trial over the murder of teacher Samuel Paty. The 24-year-old Chechen has since become a rare case of deradicalization, according to all the professionals who have worked with him. He told Le Monde how he became radicalized and how he managed to break away from jihadist ideology.

Gamaev met with Le Monde journalists at a train station in a city in eastern France whose name he did not want disclosed. It was not immediately obvious when he greeted the reporters as they got off the train, but he had made an effort to appear understated.

" As he joined the journalists on the forecourt of the train station, Gamaev admitted to having only one obsession: to go unnoticed as much as possible.

"He feels so ashamed," he said, of his past. He knew his name would appear in this profile and that his story would be told, but he was terrified at the thought that his friends might recognize him in the photos.

He put on clothes he rarely wore, ones more discreet than the outfits later discovered in the wardrobe of his student room. That wardrobe contained a jumble of punk rock references and items drawn from the manga universe, including a turquoise kawaii beanie with bunny ears and an open-knit sweater for maximum transparency.

On the walls of his student room, a Playboi Carti rap poster hung next to a self-portrait by painter Frida Kahlo.

A reproduction of a Frida Kahlo self-portrait was photographed in Ismaël Gamaev's room on March 3, 2026. Like his wardrobe, his posters reflected the identity puzzle Gamaev has pieced together since leaving prison. " The shifting identities of the now 24-year-old Chechen have emerged clearly only years after his sentencing.

According to all the professionals who have worked with him, he represents a rare successful case of leaving jihadist ideology behind.