Szpiner, the Halimi family's lawyer, called the sentences for the accomplices lenient [AFP]

Youssouf Fofana pretended to applaud, then smiled at the courtroom and stuck his thumbs up when the verdict was read out on Friday.

He must spend a minimum of 22 years behind bars before parole can be considered.

Twenty-four others, including eight women, also were found guilty on Friday in the kidnapping, torture and murder of Ilan Halimi.

The gang abducted 23-year-old Halimi in 2006, unsuccessfully tried to extort a ransom for their captive, tortured him until he was close to death and then left him near a train station.

Halimi died shortly after he was found.

Anti-Semitic violence

A month after the start of the trial, Fofana admitted to having stabbed and set fire to Halimi, pouring flammable liquid over him and setting it alight.

Fofana, a 28-year-old of Ivorian origin who led the self-styled Gang of Barbarians, came into the courtroom on Friday wearing a shirt depicting the map of Africa.

He expressed no remorse and expressed defiance throughout the trial.

On various occasions, he smirked at Hamili's relatives, shouted "God is greatest!" and at one point threw shoes at lawyers.

Variety of charges

The defendants were convicted on a variety of charges, including kidnapping by an organised group, sequestration that resulted in death or failing to assist a person in danger.

Two defendants were acquitted, including one young woman who was told by the presiding judge she could seek indemnities for spending three years in jail before trial. The lightest sentence was six months in jail.

After Friday's ruling, Francis Szpiner, the family's lawyer, expressed satisfaction.

"I am pleased that the Paris court of assizes has recognised the anti-Semitic character of this crime," he said.

"It was because he was Jewish that Ilan Halimi was killed and tortured. No one can challenge this judicial truth."

'Lenient sentences'

Szpiner said he was disappointed, however, at what he called lenient sentences handed to some of Fofana's accomplices, and asked the justice ministry to seek an appeal.

The trial, which began April 29, was held behind closed doors in a juvenile court because two of the defendants were minors at the time of the attack.

Critics said police initially ignored the possibility of anti-Semitic motives in the killing, which, as the case wore on, prompted fears of its resurgence in France.

Scores of police, some in full riot gear, took up posts around the Palais de Justice in central Paris on Friday.

The victim's family was not present for the verdict.

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