Brussels attacks: New suspect arrested on suspicion of 'terrorist murders' in Isis massacre

He is one of several suspects in custody linked to the bombings that killed 32 people

Friday 10 June 2016 13:32 BST

A Belgian soldier stands guard outside the partially reopened departure hall of Zaventem international airport near Brussels, Belgium (Reuters)

A new suspect has been arrested on accusations of "terrorist murders" during Isis's Brussels attacks as security services continue attempts to root out a European network of jihadists.

The man, named as 31-year-old Ali E H A by Belgium's federal prosecutor, was detained during a raid on a home in the suburb of Schaerbeek - the district where the three bombers prepared for their attack on 22 March.

He has been arrested on suspicion of participation in the activities of a terrorist group, terrorist murders and attempted terrorist murders.

Belgians commemorate attack victims

Authorities did not stipulate whether he was as a perpetrator or accomplice in the bombings at Brussels Airport and Maelbeek Metro station and said no further information would be given.

Two men, Ibrahim el-Bakraoui and Najim Laachraoui, killed themselves and 16 other people in the airport’s departures hall before el-Bakraoui’s brother, Khalid, blew himself up on an underground train, killing 16 more.

Investigators are continuing the hunt for possible accomplices in the atrocity, as well as links to Isis supporters elsewhere in Europe and the cell that carried out the Paris attacks in November.

Mohamed Abrini, the “man in the hat” who fled Brussels Airport after his suitcase bomb failed to detonate, is accused of involvement in both plots.

He is currently in Belgian custody but could soon be extradited to France for questioning.

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Wreaths of flowers in front of an entrance of the Maalbeek subway station in Brussels in homage to the victims of a terrorist attack.

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Wreaths of flowers in front of an entrance of the Maalbeek subway station in Brussels in homage to the victims of a terrorist attack.

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

A building illuminated with the Belgian flag colours and a heart in Brussels, two days after suicide bombing attacks of terrorists on March 22 in Zaventem airport and subway Maelbeek.

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

A picture taken on 24 March, 2016 on place de la Bourse in Brussels, shows drawings and a candle, two days after suicide bombing attacks of terrorists on March 22 in Zaventem airport and Brussels subway Maelbeek

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Candles are displayed in tribute to the Brussels attacks victims on 24 March, 2016 on place de la Bourse in Brussels, two days after the suicide bombing attacks of terrorists on 22 March.

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

A mourner lights a candle in Trafalgar Square during a candlelit vigil in support of the victims of the recent terror attacks in Brussels.

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Brussels airport workers pay tribute to the victims near Zaventem

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Activists light candles and hold placards to condemn the terrorist attacks in Belgium, during a gathering in Manila, Philippines

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

A banner for the victims of the bombings reads "I am Brussels" at the Place de la Bourse in the center of Brussels

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left front center, stands with front row, left to right, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, Belgium's King Philippe, Belgium's Queen Mathilde and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel as well as members of the European Commission during a minute of silence at EU headquarters in Brussels

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

People join hands in solidarity near the former stock exchange following the bomb attacks in Brussels

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Belgium flags ornate the facade of the Paris Town Hall

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

A woman embraces her children at The Place de la Bourse as she pays her respects to victims of the terrorists attacks in Brussels

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Belgian and European Union flags fly at half mast following the bomb attacks in Brussels

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Candles in the colors of the Belgian national flag are lit inside the Belgian embassy in Madrid, a day after the deadly suicide attacks on the Brussels airport and its subway system

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Servicemen of Azov, Ukrainian volunteers battalion, hold torches in front of floral tributes during a ceremony in front of the Belgian embassy in Kiev, in tribute to the victims of Brussels attacks

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

A refugee boy holds up a placard reading "Sorry for Brussels" at a refugee camp near the Greek-Macedonian border

Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

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People light candles in tribute to victims at a makeshift memorial at the Place de la Bourse in Brussels

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Brussels tributes

A woman holds a drawing by French cartoonist Plantu picturing a character made of a French flag consoling another made of the Belgian flag, in front of the Hotel de Ville in Paris

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Brussels tributes

The colours of the Belgian flag are projected on to (clockwise from top left) the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the town council building in Belgrade, Rome's Campidoglio and the Royal Palace at Dam Square in Amsterdam

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Brussels tributes

Candles are lit in tribute to the victims, at the Place de la Bourse in Brussels

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Brussels tributes

A woman holds a placard reading "Paris hearts Belgium, How much time will it take us to open our eyes and say STOP, Today our hearts are broken, Open your eyes to change the future" at the Place de la Republique in Paris

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

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People gather to pay a tribute to victims of terrorist attacks in Brussels

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

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People write messages on the ground at Place de la Bourse in Brussels

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Brussels tributes

A bouquet of flowers in the Belgian national colours with a card reading 'To our neighbours, to our friends, to our Belgian brothers - an indignant Parisian' is seen next to a French national flag at the fence of the Belgian embassy in Paris

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Brussels tributes

Solidarity messages are written in chalk outside the stock exchange in Brussels

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Brussels attacks: tributes are paid to the victims

Brussels tributes

Messages and floral tributes outside the Brussels stock exchange

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The 31-year-old Belgian, of Moroccan descent, was caught on camera with fellow suspect Salah Abdeslam two days before the Paris attacks and went into hiding until the bombings in the Belgian capital.

They are believed to be the only surviving direct perpetrators of both attacks but several suspects have been detained on accusations of providing logistical support.

Mohamed Bakkali, 29, allegedly rented the Brussels apartment were suicide vests were manufactured, while Swedish jihadist Osama Krayem is also in custody accused of buying suitcases for the Brussels bombers and helping prepare for the Paris attacks.

Abid Aberkan, a relative of Abdeslam, a Ali O, 31, Abdoullah C, 30, Lazez Abraimi, 39, Bilal EM, 27, Hervé BM, 31, Ibrahim F, 27 and Smail F, 31, have also been detained in connection with the plots.

Three other men - Aboubaker O, Yassine A and Mohamed B, remain in custody as part of a separate terror investigation.

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