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France seeks 'rapid' handover of Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam France seeks 'rapid' handover of Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam
(about 1 hour later)
The main suspect in the Paris terrorist attacks has been released from hospital in Belgium and is being questioned by police as the French authorities launched a fast-track appeal to have him extradited.The main suspect in the Paris terrorist attacks has been released from hospital in Belgium and is being questioned by police as the French authorities launched a fast-track appeal to have him extradited.
Salah Abdeslam has been Europe’s most wanted man since 13 November after a series of shootings and suicide bombings in the French capital that left 130 dead. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.Salah Abdeslam has been Europe’s most wanted man since 13 November after a series of shootings and suicide bombings in the French capital that left 130 dead. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Abdelslam was shot in the leg in a police assault before being captured on Friday. Abdeslam was shot in the leg in a police assault before being captured on Friday.
On Saturday morning, the French president, François Hollande, called an emergency defence council meeting of ministers at the Elysée Palace.On Saturday morning, the French president, François Hollande, called an emergency defence council meeting of ministers at the Elysée Palace.
Afterwards, the French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said the arrest was “an important blow against the terrorist organisation Daesh [Islamic State] in Europe”.Afterwards, the French interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, said the arrest was “an important blow against the terrorist organisation Daesh [Islamic State] in Europe”.
“This operation has removed the threat of several individuals who have proven themselves extremely dangerous and totally determined,” Cazeneuve said.“This operation has removed the threat of several individuals who have proven themselves extremely dangerous and totally determined,” Cazeneuve said.
Hollande said that the French authorities would seek a “rapid” extradition of Abdelslam. Hollande said that the French authorities would seek a “rapid” extradition of Abdeslam.
“I am sure the French legal authorities will very quickly issue an extradition request ... and the Belgian authorities will respond as favourably as possible, as quickly as possible,” Hollande said.“I am sure the French legal authorities will very quickly issue an extradition request ... and the Belgian authorities will respond as favourably as possible, as quickly as possible,” Hollande said.
He said Saturday’s meeting would “look at where we are with the operations carried out in the fight against the terrorist networks in France and Europe”.He said Saturday’s meeting would “look at where we are with the operations carried out in the fight against the terrorist networks in France and Europe”.
Hollande has said he would meet representatives of the victims’ families on Monday.Hollande has said he would meet representatives of the victims’ families on Monday.
Abdelslam, 26, a former bus driver, has been on the run for four months. He is known to have telephoned two accomplices in Belgium in the hours after the attacks. The two men drove from Brussels, picked him up, and drove back to the Belgian capital, where he disappeared. The vehicle Abdelslam was travelling was reportedly stopped by police twice on the route, but allowed to continue. Abdeslam, 26, a former bus driver, has been on the run for four months. He is known to have telephoned two accomplices in Belgium in the hours after the attacks. The two men drove from Brussels, picked him up, and drove back to the Belgian capital, where he disappeared. The vehicle Abdeslam was travelling was reportedly stopped by police twice on the route, but allowed to continue.
He is believed to the only surviving member of a 10-strong Isis “commando” unit that carried out the attacks attacks.He is believed to the only surviving member of a 10-strong Isis “commando” unit that carried out the attacks attacks.
On Saturday, Belgian federal prosecutor Eric Van Der Sypt said police would have 24 hours – that could be prolonged to 48 hours – before Abdelslam would have to appear before a judge to decide whether he remained in prison for up to a month. On Saturday, Belgian federal prosecutor Eric Van Der Sypt said police would have 24 hours – that could be prolonged to 48 hours – before Abdeslam would have to appear before a judge to decide whether he remained in prison for up to a month.
“If he starts talking, then I presume it will mean he stays longer in Belgium,” Van Der Sypt said. “Sooner or later he will be extradited to France.”“If he starts talking, then I presume it will mean he stays longer in Belgium,” Van Der Sypt said. “Sooner or later he will be extradited to France.”
French and Belgian anti-terrorism officials plan a conference call on Saturday during which Abdelsalam’s extradition is expected to be discussed and agreed, Thierry Werts, spokesperson for Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said. French and Belgian anti-terrorism officials plan a conference call on Saturday during which Abdeslam’s extradition is expected to be discussed and agreed, Thierry Werts, spokesperson for Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said.
A 2002 European Union agreement accelerated the extradition process between members states, removing political consideration. For particularly serious crimes, including alleged terrorism, the process can be fast-tracked.A 2002 European Union agreement accelerated the extradition process between members states, removing political consideration. For particularly serious crimes, including alleged terrorism, the process can be fast-tracked.
Anti-terrorist police will be hoping Abdelslam can shed light on a previously unknown Algerian gunman linked to the Paris attacks. Mohamed Belkaid was shot on Tuesday in the Belgian police raid that led officers to Abdelslam. Anti-terrorist police will be hoping Abdeslam can shed light on a previously unknown Algerian gunman linked to the Paris attacks. Mohamed Belkaid was shot on Tuesday in the Belgian police raid that led officers to Abdeslam.
In exclusive documents given to the Associated Press by the Syrian opposition news site Zama al-Wsl, Belkaid described how he traveled throughout Europe and had no experience as a jihadi as he crossed into Syria on 19 April 2014.In exclusive documents given to the Associated Press by the Syrian opposition news site Zama al-Wsl, Belkaid described how he traveled throughout Europe and had no experience as a jihadi as he crossed into Syria on 19 April 2014.
On Friday, officials said Balkaid was “most probably” an Abdeslam accomplice whose fake Belgian ID was used to pay for the hideout of the Paris attack ringleader.On Friday, officials said Balkaid was “most probably” an Abdeslam accomplice whose fake Belgian ID was used to pay for the hideout of the Paris attack ringleader.