Maëva B., Salah Abdeslam's ex-partner, faces two charges: a terrorist plot thwarted by the police

Maëva B., Salah Abdeslam's former partner suspected of receiving stolen goods in prison, had been in custody since November 7, suspected of planning a terrorist attack with accomplices.

Suspicions of receiving stolen goods, involving the sole surviving member of the commando responsible for the November 13, 2015 attacks, have led to the detention of his former partner for "terrorist conspiracy to commit a crime against persons." The Anti-Terrorist Sub-Directorate (SDAT) has been closely examining Maëva B., Salah Abdeslam 's former partner and pen pal, in recent days.

The young woman, taken into custody on November 4, was arrested again on terrorism-related grounds on Friday, November 7, and remained in custody on Monday thanks to a rarely granted exception. While custody for terrorism-related offenses can last 96 hours, it can also be extended up to 144 hours if there is suspicion of an "imminent" violent attack.

Late Monday evening, Maëva was formally charged and imprisoned on two counts. She is accused of, firstly, giving a USB drive to her former partner, Salah Abdeslam, and secondly, of a foiled jihadist attack plot. Regarding the attack plot, Maëva was charged with criminal terrorist conspiracy along with two other individuals.

Initially, an investigation was launched for "illicit possession of an object in detention"

It all began with an investigation by the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office for "illicit possession of an object in detention" after the analysis of Salah Abdeslam's computer revealed, in January 2025, the possible presence of jihadist propaganda videos and writings, and a potential connection via the USB ports. The detainee had a computer without internet access for training purposes. Suspicion then fell on Maëva B., one of the few people authorized to meet with the terrorist in the visiting room.

Although investigators did not find the USB key they were looking for, they uncovered something else during the examination of the 27-year-old woman's phone and computer equipment. According to Le Parisien , Maëva B. had mentioned "plans to join a jihadist organization abroad or to commit an attack on French soil."

A jihadist or terrorist project involving three people

Originally from Tarn-et-Garonne, Maëva B. began corresponding with Salah Abdeslam around 2018. The young woman, who converted to Islam after a period of anorexia, is described by intelligence services as having ties to "radical circles." She was able to meet the November 13th terrorist, in the context of their intimate relationship, even though they were never married, starting in 2024 after his final conviction. Their relationship deteriorated during 2025, and investigations revealed a complete break in contact since April.

In addition to the cessation of communications with Salah Abdeslam, the SDAT investigation revealed Maëva B.'s correspondence with two individuals considered radicalized: a 20-year-old man living in Montpellier, in the Hérault department, whom the suspect married in a religious ceremony, and a young woman living in the Isère department. It was the discussions between this trio regarding jihadist and/or terrorist projects that led the PNAT (National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office) to expand the initial investigation to include the charge of "terrorist conspiracy to commit a crime against persons." Maëva B.'s husband and correspondent were also taken into custody on Friday, November 7.

Although there appeared to have been talk of carrying out a terrorist action on French soil between the three individuals, according to Le Parisien which cites sources close to the investigation, the outlines of said project still had to be defined by the investigations.

Salah Abdeslam was not involved in the terrorist plot.

Targeted by the investigation for receiving stolen goods and detained on that basis on November 4 and 7, Salah Abdeslam was finally released. The prisoner convicted for the November 13 attacks "does not appear to be involved in a planned attack," stated Céline Berthon, head of the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), which is jointly handling the investigation, on Monday, November 10, speaking on RTL radio. While he remains "radicalized," Salah Abdeslam "is not being prosecuted, much less convicted" for a new terrorist plot; "more than ever, the presumption of innocence remains," declared the jihadist's French lawyers, Olivia Ronen, Benoit David, and Martin Vettes, in a statement.

To clarify the situation, the PNAT announced in a statement published this Monday that it had opened two judicial investigations: one for illegal receiving of an object in prison for which Maëva B. was charged this Monday and Salah Abdeslam subsequently; the other for the planned attack under the qualification of "criminal terrorist association" which concerns Maëva B., her husband and her correspondent.