Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam arrested in Brussels
President Francois Hollande said France would seek extradition for the Brussels-based Frenchman 'as rapidly as possible'.
Belgian authorities on Friday arrested Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam after a raid in Brussels, reported Reuters. As many as 130 people were killed and many injured in attacks carried out by Islamic State militants in the French capital city in November 2015. At a news conference, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel along with French President Francois Hollande said the 26-year-old has been taken into custody after being held overnight in hospital with a small leg wound.
"This is an important result in the battle for democracy," Michel said. He added that United States President Barack Obama had called to congratulate the Belgian and French leaders after the arrest. Investigating officers said another wanted man, Monir Ahmed Alaaj, was also arrested in the raid on an apartment in Molenbeek. Police raided the location after finding fingerprints and passports in another raid three days earlier. BBC reported that three members of a family accused of harbouring Abdeslam have also been detained. The French President, who was visiting Brussels for a European summit, said France would seek extradition for the Brussels-based Frenchman "as rapidly as possible".