Morocco arrests Belgian man linked to Paris attackers
Moroccan anti-terrorism forces guard the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations in Sale, Morocco. Moroccan authorities have announced the arrest of a Belgian they say is linked to the Paris attackers.
Rabat, Morocco — Moroccan police have arrested a Belgian man of Moroccan descent who is linked to Islamic State and had a “direct relationship” to the people who carried out the Paris attacks in November, the Interior Ministry said Monday.
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The man had spent time in Syria getting military training and building relationships with Islamic State field commanders, “including the mastermind” of the Paris attacks, and others who threatened attacks in France and Belgium, the ministry said in a statement.
The statement identified the suspect only by the initials J.A., and didn’t explain the suspected relationship to the Paris attackers. Several of the Islamist extremists who targeted a Paris rock concert, stadium and cafes had Moroccan origins and links to Belgium. The attacks on Nov. 13 killed 130 people.
The ministry said in a statement that the man was arrested Friday in the town of Mohammedia, near Casablanca, after traveling through Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
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Belgian prosecutors didn’t immediately comment on the arrest.
At least one of the Paris attackers remains at large.
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