Remaining suspect in Paris attacks is arrested
One of Europe's most wanted fugitives and a key remaining suspect in November's Paris terror attacks has been arrested, Belgian media are reporting.
French police officials said he was arrested after a raid Belgian authorities said was linked to the deadly March 22 Brussels bombings.
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The suspect, Mohamed Abrini, is believed to be the mysterious "man in the hat" who escaped the double bombing at the Zaventem airport, according to one of the French officials. If true, that would mean Abrini had a key role in both attacks carried out by the Islamic State cell that left a total of 162 people dead — 130 in Paris and 32 in Brussels.
The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity to offer details about the ongoing Belgian investigation, which has also involved French anti-terror police.
Abrini, 30, was filmed before the attacks at a gas station with Salah Abdeslam, another suspect who was arrested in Brussels in March, according to VRT news.
Abrini was driving a Renault Clio that was used two later to commit the attacks in Paris.
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Abrini was "more than probably" the man in the hat depicted in a photo taken by a surveillance camera that showed the men suspected of carrying out the bombings at Brussels Airport, VRT reported.
Belgian authorities said several arrests have been made in relation to the Brussels attack but refused to elaborate further, AP reported.
On its website, Europol states that Abrini was "actively being traced by the Belgian and French police forces." He was described as "armed and dangerous."
The attacks on the Brussels airport and the metro station left 32 dead. Belgian authorities had released a new video of the "man in the hat" appealing to the public to find him.
Additional information from the Associated Press.
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