Paris Attacks Suspect Captured in Belgium
Belgian immigration minister Theo Francken confirms Salah Abdeslam's arrest in tweet saying 'We got him'
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. 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. Captured Salah Abdeslam French national born in Belgium Considered eighth attacker; believed to be driver of car outside the Bataclan Dead Abdelhamid Abaaoud Belgian of Moroccan origin Ringleader of Paris attacks Ibrahim Abdeslam French citizen Suicide bomber at cafe on Boulevard Voltaire; brother of Salah Abdeslam Samy Amimour Born in Paris One of three suicide bombers at Bataclan concert hall Bilal Hadfi Dead Nationality unknown, living in Belgium prior to attacks One of three suicide bombers at soccer stadium Ismael Omar Mostefai Chartres, France Suicide bomber at Bataclan concert hall Ahmad al Muhammad (falsified name) Unknown; emergency passport said he was from Syria Suicide bomber at soccer stadium; emergency passport found on his body Unknown Unknown Suicide bomber at soccer stadium; carried falsified Turkish passport Unknown Unknown Suicide bomber at Bataclan concert hall; has not yet been identified