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Key suspect in Paris terror attacks arrested

April 8, 2016

Mohamed Abrini, a suspect wanted in connection with the Paris terror attacks, has been arrested in Brussels. Belgian media have speculated that Abrini was involved in the Brussels attacks.

https://p.dw.com/p/1ISBE

The 31-year-old Belgian national was arrested on Friday and was "more than likely" also involved in the Brussels attacks, Belgian public broadcaster VRT reported, citing security sources.

Prosecutors said several arrests were made and they were investigating whether Abrini was the third person identified at the Brussels airport - the "man in the hat."

Abrini has been on Europe's most wanted list since CCTV footage at a gas station in northern France showed him with Paris suspect Salah Abdeslam two days before the deadly attacks, which killed 130 people.

Abdeslam was arrested two weeks ago, four days before "Islamic State" suicide bombers targeted the Brussels airport and a downtown metro stop, killing 32 people.

Belgian media have suggested that Abrini may be the "man in the hat" seen on CCTV footage at Brussels Airport and in the city center. The suspect has been difficult to identify because of the hat and glasses that cover his face.

The CCTV footage at the airport showed the man pushing a luggage trolley next to the two men who blew themselves up. The man is suspected to have fled without blowing up his bomb. It was later found abandoned at the airport.

Belgian prosecutors identified a second man arrested as Osama K., who was seen with the bomber of the central Brussels Maelbeek metro stop before he blew himself up.

cw/jil (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)