The accused in the attack in Paris refuses to come to the trial

Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving member of the Islamic State cell that carried out the 2015 Paris terror attacks, is refusing to appear in court Thursday.

At Monday's trial in Belgium, Abdeslam defended himself by remaining silent, and it was his first public appearance, AP points out.

He refused to answer any questions about the exchange of fire with police in Brussels in March 2015, which led to his arrest.

The court in Brussels announced that Abdeslam does not want to appear at the next hearing, which is scheduled for Thursday, writes Tanjug.

Abdeslam was charged in Belgium with attempted murder. He took refuge in that country after the attacks in Paris and was arrested there after an exchange of fire with the police in which three officers were wounded.

He is on trial in Belgium together with Sofian Ajari, who helped him hide, and the court is trying to determine which of the two opened fire on the police. Abdeslam was transported to Brussels from a prison in France and, as reported by AP, there was heavy security around the court.

He refused to stand up when the judge entered the courtroom, and when asked why he didn't, he said he was tired and hadn't slept. Abdeslam reportedly let his hair and beard grow and refused to answer questions.

"I don't want to answer any questions. They asked me to come and I came. Muslims are tried without mercy. Without the presumption of innocence. I am not afraid of you or your allies. I believe in Allah," he said at the trial.

Abdeslam also refused to answer questions in France, where the trial against him is being conducted separately.