Farid Aider

Farid Aider, also known by the aliases Achour and Terfi Farid, was born in Algiers on October 12, 1964. Farid was charged with crimes under Article 270 bis of the Italian Penal Code for his involvement in the creation and organization of an international terrorist association linked to the radical Islamic movement in Algeria, but he managed to escape. This group was primarily focused on promoting, financing, and providing material and moral support for violent acts of terrorism directed against the Algerian government and its people.
Farid’s terrorist activities were characterized by his apparent but fraudulent adherence to the Algerian government’s project of “national reconciliation,” while covertly continuing to fund and support his “brothers” in Algeria. At the same time, the armed wing of the group in Algeria was responsible for several terrorist attacks, including the January 3, 2005 bombing in Lounici and the March 27, 2005 attack in Chlef. Farid also provided refuge for fellow militants in Italy and promised to send fighters to Algeria to support the jihadist cause.
Farid was a close associate of Djamel Lounici and played a key operational role in his network. He had previously been convicted for forging identity documents at the request of other members of the organization, a crime that included the falsification of state seals, a violation of Article 467 of the Italian Penal Code.
From October 2001 to June 2005, Farid was deeply involved in the establishment and organization of an Italian-based terrorist cell with strong ties to the disbanded Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in Algeria. This cell, active between Naples, Aversa, Milan, and Vicenza, was responsible for recruiting new members, procuring false documents, and raising funds to support terrorist activities. The investigations into Farid’s network, based on extensive phone and environmental surveillance, revealed the wide scope of the organization. Although the cell operated mainly in Italy, it was heavily rooted in Algeria, where it had long been engaged in violent opposition against the Algerian authorities, frequently resorting to acts of terrorism designed to instill fear among the civilian population.
The broader organization to which Farid’s cell belonged had a complex structure, encompassing various subgroups with different names, such as the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). This organization also had international extensions in Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The various cells, including Farid’s, were tasked with securing financial support, recruiting personnel for the cause, and providing logistical support for fighters who had been involved in combat or were facing legal actions in their home countries. These cells operated as part of a unified transnational network dedicated to a violent jihad against perceived apostates and non-believers.
The Italian cell, led by Farid and his associates, was likely formed in Naples, which served as the operational center for the group. Funds raised in various Italian cities were transported to Algeria to support jihadist activities. A sophisticated transportation route between Naples and Marseille was used to move both funds and documents. Farid’s cell was also involved in the production and dissemination of propaganda material designed to incite and prepare the Muslim population in Italy for jihad.
Wiretapped conversations revealed the group’s discussions about the Algerian government’s “national reconciliation” project, an amnesty initiative for militants of banned groups. Some members of the organization supported the idea of negotiating with the authorities, while a more radical faction, particularly based in Milan, rejected any compromise and insisted on pursuing a violent affirmation of radical Islamic principles.
In 2011, the Public Prosecutor requested an eight-year prison sentence for Farid, based on the continuity of the criminal acts committed and the seriousness of the charges. The Court of Assizes of Naples ultimately sentenced him to five years in prison.