This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34032210
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
France train shooting: Police question suspect | France train shooting: Police question suspect |
(about 3 hours later) | |
French police are questioning Ayoub El-Kahzzani, a 25-year-old Moroccan accused of carrying out Friday's attempted attack on a high-speed Thalys train between Amsterdam and Paris. | French police are questioning Ayoub El-Kahzzani, a 25-year-old Moroccan accused of carrying out Friday's attempted attack on a high-speed Thalys train between Amsterdam and Paris. |
The suspect, who was restrained and held on the floor by passengers, is said to have links to the "radical Islamist movement". | The suspect, who was restrained and held on the floor by passengers, is said to have links to the "radical Islamist movement". |
He can be held for four days without being charged. | He can be held for four days without being charged. |
Security measures aboard Thalys trains have been stepped up. | Security measures aboard Thalys trains have been stepped up. |
After a meeting of its national security council on Saturday, Belgium said mixed Franco-Belgian security patrols would be increased on board the Thalys trains, which link major cities in the Netherlands and Belgium to Paris. | After a meeting of its national security council on Saturday, Belgium said mixed Franco-Belgian security patrols would be increased on board the Thalys trains, which link major cities in the Netherlands and Belgium to Paris. |
Patrols and security checks will also be boosted at international train stations, and more baggage checks will be carried out. | Patrols and security checks will also be boosted at international train stations, and more baggage checks will be carried out. |
The suspect boarded the Thalys train in Brussels, and Belgian prosecutors are carrying out an anti-terrorism investigation of their own. | The suspect boarded the Thalys train in Brussels, and Belgian prosecutors are carrying out an anti-terrorism investigation of their own. |
The suspect, who is being questioned near Paris, was flagged up to French authorities by their Spanish counterparts in February 2014. | The suspect, who is being questioned near Paris, was flagged up to French authorities by their Spanish counterparts in February 2014. |
He is reported to have lived in France, Spain, and Belgium and to have travelled to Syria. | He is reported to have lived in France, Spain, and Belgium and to have travelled to Syria. |
What we know | What we know |
The incident happened on a Thalys service near the northern French city of Arras on Friday. | The incident happened on a Thalys service near the northern French city of Arras on Friday. |
When a French passenger tried to enter a toilet, he encountered the gunman and tried to overpower him. It is thought this passenger may have since requested anonymity. | When a French passenger tried to enter a toilet, he encountered the gunman and tried to overpower him. It is thought this passenger may have since requested anonymity. |
A gun was fired and a French-American passenger was injured by the bullet. | A gun was fired and a French-American passenger was injured by the bullet. |
The gunman was carrying a Kalashnikov rifle, an automatic pistol with ammunition clips, and a box cutter knife, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Saturday. | The gunman was carrying a Kalashnikov rifle, an automatic pistol with ammunition clips, and a box cutter knife, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Saturday. |
Two American servicemen, Spencer Stone and Alek Skarlatos, were hailed as heroes for throwing him to the floor of the carriage, removing his guns and restraining him. | Two American servicemen, Spencer Stone and Alek Skarlatos, were hailed as heroes for throwing him to the floor of the carriage, removing his guns and restraining him. |
A friend of theirs and fellow American, Anthony Sadler, and Chris Norman, a British man who lives in France, also helped restrain the attacker. | A friend of theirs and fellow American, Anthony Sadler, and Chris Norman, a British man who lives in France, also helped restrain the attacker. |
Mr Stone and Mr Skarlatos are members of the US Air Force and the National Guard respectively. | Mr Stone and Mr Skarlatos are members of the US Air Force and the National Guard respectively. |
Mr Stone received cuts to his neck and hand but has now been discharged from hospital. | |
Those who prevented the attack are due to meet President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace on Monday. | Those who prevented the attack are due to meet President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace on Monday. |
In a telephone call on Saturday, Mr Hollande thanked them for their actions which he said had helped prevent an "extremely serious attack". | In a telephone call on Saturday, Mr Hollande thanked them for their actions which he said had helped prevent an "extremely serious attack". |
The three US citizens and Mr Norman were awarded medals for bravery by authorities in Arras. | The three US citizens and Mr Norman were awarded medals for bravery by authorities in Arras. |
The 554 passengers on board the train included French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade, who was critical of train staff, alleging they entered a private cabin and locked themselves in when they heard gunshots, leaving the passengers alone. Thalys denies this. | The 554 passengers on board the train included French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade, who was critical of train staff, alleging they entered a private cabin and locked themselves in when they heard gunshots, leaving the passengers alone. Thalys denies this. |
The president of the French railway company, SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, has said he will meet Mr Anglade in coming days to discuss the matter. | The president of the French railway company, SNCF, Guillaume Pepy, has said he will meet Mr Anglade in coming days to discuss the matter. |
France's security services have placed been on high alert since January when Islamist militants killed 17 people in and around Paris - including the attacks at the offices of satirical paper Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket. | France's security services have placed been on high alert since January when Islamist militants killed 17 people in and around Paris - including the attacks at the offices of satirical paper Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket. |