Last Paris attacks suspect at large arrested in Belgium, reportedly linked to Brussels bombings

8 Apr, 2016 14:29 / Updated 8 years ago

The final suspect at large in the Paris terror attacks, Mohamed Abrini, has been arrested, according to Belgian prosecutors. Belgian broadcaster VRT reported that he is likely the "man in the hat" who was pictured with the Brussels airport bombers.

French police officials and Belgian federal prosecutors confirmed that the 31-year-old was arrested on Friday.

He was detained in the Brussels borough of Anderlecht. The man is believed to be the "man in the hat" pictured with attackers at Brussels airport last month, just before two bomb blasts rocked the premises, VRT cited various sources as saying.

The prosecutors said they were looking into the reports.

The "man in the hat" left the airport shortly after the blasts and was tracked on CCTV for several miles, into the city center. Investigators released new video footage of him on Thursday, and urged people to look for his discarded coat.

VRT also said that a suspect by the name of Osama Krayem has been arrested in connection with the bombing of Maalbeek metro station in Brussels.

The Belgian federal prosecutor's office has confirmed that several arrests have been made in relation to the Brussels attacks, but provided no further details. 

Abrini has been on Europe's most wanted list since being identified on CCTV video in a car with Salah Abdeslam two days before the Paris attacks. Abdeslam is the prime surviving suspect in the attacks.

The two were photographed at a gas station on the motorway bound for Paris. They were using a Renault Clio that was employed during the attacks and later recovered in the city. 

Abdeslam was arrested in Brussels two weeks ago. 

The Paris terror attacks left 130 people dead on November 13, 2015. In March, attacks on Brussels left 32 people dead and over 300 injured.