This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/paris-attacks-belgian-suspect-directly-linked-to-isis-attacks-arrested-in-morocco-a6819641.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Paris attacks: Belgian suspect 'directly linked' to Isis attacks arrested in Morocco | Paris attacks: Belgian suspect 'directly linked' to Isis attacks arrested in Morocco |
(35 minutes later) | |
Moroccan authorities say they have arrested a Belgian national of Moroccan origin “directly linked” to the Paris attacks. | Moroccan authorities say they have arrested a Belgian national of Moroccan origin “directly linked” to the Paris attacks. |
The suspect’s name was not immediately announced but a statement gave his initials in Arabic variously transliterated as GA or JA. | |
Officials said the man had travelled to Syria to fight with Jabhat al-Nusra, before joining Isis, where he allegedly built relationships with field commanders including the "mastermind" behind the atrocites in Paris, and others threatening attacks in France and Belgium. | |
A spokesperson for Morocco's interior ministry said the man was arrested on Monday in Mohammedia, near Casablanca, after travelling through Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. | |
Several arrests have been made in relation to the Paris attacks in Morocco, where a warrant was also issued in November for fugitive Salah Abdeslam. | Several arrests have been made in relation to the Paris attacks in Morocco, where a warrant was also issued in November for fugitive Salah Abdeslam. |
The 26-year-old French-Moroccan national was born in Brussels, where investigations have since traced him to a flat where suicide belts were manufactured. | The 26-year-old French-Moroccan national was born in Brussels, where investigations have since traced him to a flat where suicide belts were manufactured. |
He is thought to be the last member of the terror cell who murdered 130 people in the French capital at large, after fleeing to Belgium and then disappearing the following day. | He is thought to be the last member of the terror cell who murdered 130 people in the French capital at large, after fleeing to Belgium and then disappearing the following day. |
The Moroccan warrant was issued as international manhunt continued, although there was no indication he was in the country at the time. | The Moroccan warrant was issued as international manhunt continued, although there was no indication he was in the country at the time. |
Abdeslam’s brother, Brahim Abdeslam, blew himself up on the Boulevard Voltaire, and he reportedly met alleged “mastermind” Abdelhamid Abaaoud in prison. | Abdeslam’s brother, Brahim Abdeslam, blew himself up on the Boulevard Voltaire, and he reportedly met alleged “mastermind” Abdelhamid Abaaoud in prison. |
The Isis militant’s younger brother, Yassine Abaaoud, had been arrested in the Moroccan city of Agadir in October after landing in the country. | The Isis militant’s younger brother, Yassine Abaaoud, had been arrested in the Moroccan city of Agadir in October after landing in the country. |
Moroccan authorities have arrested scores of suspected Isis militants in recent months, including a cell allegedly planning a bombing attack. | Moroccan authorities have arrested scores of suspected Isis militants in recent months, including a cell allegedly planning a bombing attack. |
Around 1,500 Moroccan nationals are believed to be fighting with armed groups in Syria and Iraq. | Around 1,500 Moroccan nationals are believed to be fighting with armed groups in Syria and Iraq. |
Authorities estimated that around 220 have returned home and been jailed and 286 have been killed by the end of last year. | Authorities estimated that around 220 have returned home and been jailed and 286 have been killed by the end of last year. |
Additional reporting by Reuters and AP | Additional reporting by Reuters and AP |