Paris Attacks Suspect Captured Alive in Belgian Raid

 Paris Attacks Suspect Captured Alive in Belgian Raid
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VOA News

The top suspect linked to the November 13 terror attacks in France has been arrested in Belgium, a Belgian minister said

Salah Abdeslam was arrested by Belgian police during a raid Friday in the Molenbeek area of Brussels.

Belgian immigration minister Theo Francken confirmed the arrest in a tweet that said «We got him.»

Molenbeek Mayor Francois Schepmans says Abdeslam and another person were injured in the operation. Reports say Abdeslam was wounded in the leg.

US monitoring developments

White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters the U.S. has been in close contact with French and Belgian national security officials as well as law enforcement, and continues to monitor developments closely.

«The United States obviously has significant resources and significant capabilities and we have used them to assist the French and the Belgians,» Earnest said.

Belgian authorities found the fugitive’s fingerprints in an apartment raided earlier this week in another Brussels neighborhood.

Abdeslam has been the chief target in an intense hunt for suspects and associates of the militants who carried out the attacks that killed 130 people in Paris four months ago.  His older brother, Brahim, was among the suicide bombers who killed themselves during the rampage.

It is unclear if French-Moroccan Abdelslam has remained in Brussels since November.

Since mid-November, 11 people have been arrested and charged in Belgium in connection with the killings. Eight are still in detention.  The attacks were prepared and coordinated, in part, in Brussels.

This combination of photos shows Abdelhamid Abaaoud, suspected mastermind of the November 13, 2015, Paris attacks, on the left, and suspect Salah Abdeslam, who remains at large. (2nd R),

This combination of photos shows Abdelhamid Abaaoud, suspected mastermind of the November 13, 2015, Paris attacks, on the left, and suspect Salah Abdeslam, who remains at large. (2nd R),

Paris Assailants, Suspects Where Are They Now?

Status: Captured

Name: Salah Abdeslam
Background: French national born in Belgium
Investigation: Considered eighth attacker; believed to be driver of car outside the Bataclan

Status: Dead

Name: Abdelhamid Abaaoud
Background: Belgian of Moroccan origin
Investigation: Ringleader of Paris attacks

Name: Ibrahim Abdeslam
Background: French citizen
Investigation: Suicide bomber at cafe on Boulevard Voltaire; brother of Salah Abdeslam

Name: Samy Amimour
Background: Born in Paris
Investigation: One of three suicide bombers at Bataclan concert hall

Name: Bilal Hadfi
Status: Dead
Background: Nationality unknown, living in Belgium prior to attacks
Investigation: One of three suicide bombers at soccer stadium

Name: Ismael Omar Mostefai
Background: Chartres, France
Investigation: Suicide bomber at Bataclan concert hall

Name: Ahmad al Muhammad (falsified name)
Background: Unknown; emergency passport said he was from Syria
Investigation: Suicide bomber at soccer stadium; emergency passport found on his body

Name: Unknown
Background: Unknown
Investigation: Suicide bomber at soccer stadium; carried falsified Turkish passport

Name: Unknown
Background: Unknown
Investigation: Suicide bomber at Bataclan concert hall; has not yet been identified


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