TWO CHARGED IN BELGIUM OVER PARIS ATTACKS

Brussels, 5 Safar 1437/17 November 2015 (MINA) – Two of the seven suspects arrested in Belgium in connection with the Paris attacks were charged with terror offenses Monday, prosecutors said.

The pair, who were not identified, face charges of leading a terrorist attack and taking part in the activities of a terrorist organization,  Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Among those released without charge was Mohamed Abdeslam, the brother of one of the dead suicide bombers and another suspect who is still at large.

French national Salah Abdeslam, 26, is wanted after he reportedly rented a Volkswagen Polo in Belgium that carried some of the attackers to their targets. He is said to have been stopped hours after the attacks near the Belgian border with two other men but none were arrested.

Mohamed Abdeslam was arrested Saturday, when his brothers were named as suspects in the attacks that killed 129 in the French capital Friday night.

His lawyer Nathalie Gallant told Belgian TV network RTL that her client had “nothing to do with the attacks … he hadn’t made the same choices in life” as his brothers.

The Belgian prosecutor’s office confirmed Salah Abdeslam was still wanted and confirmed no arrests were made during a raid in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek that targeted Salah Abdeslam.

RTL had reported he was seized during the raid.

Ibrahim Abdeslam, 31, blew himself up near the Bataclan concert hall, according to French authorities. He was linked to Belgian extremist Abdelhamid Abaaoud 2010 and 2011 criminal cases, Flemish-language newspaper De Standaard reported.

French President Francois Hollande said the attacks — the deadliest on European soil since the 2004 Madrid train bombings killed 191 — were carried out by Daesh. The Syria-based group later claimed responsibility. (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)