The largest trial in French legal history opens Wednesday for 20 defendants charged over the November 13, 2015 attacks on the Bataclan, Stade de France, and 10th and 11th arrondissements in Paris, which killed 130 people.

Fourteen of the defendants will be present for the trial, including Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving attacker and highest-profile defendant.

Six defendants are tried in absentia.

The trial is expected to run for nine months, with hearings most weeks from Tuesday to Friday in a purpose-built courtroom in central Paris.

Up to 1,800 witnesses could be heard, including former President Francois Hollande.

The verdict is scheduled for May 2022, though could be delayed as the trial progresses.

Aljazeera/Agencies.