Paris attack investigation suggest attackers had Belgian links
The attack investigation has indicated more involvement from the Belgians, as revealed by the prosecutors on Sunday.
The revelation, however, did not surprise the locals as they already knew the history of the nation so far as terrorist involvement was concerned. Premier Charles Michel said that a Brussels neighbourhood is one of the problematic elements, prompting growing involvement in the terror attacks.
“Almost every time there’s link with Molenbeek,” the Guardian quoted Michel saying on Sunday. “We’ve tried prevention. Now we’ll have to get repressive. It’s been a form of laissez faire and laxity. Now we’re paying the bill.”
Brussels’ Molenbeek is well known for its dense extremist population across Europe. The activists participate in the Iraq and Syria wars, taking the battle to the main European regions. The news that disclosed the involvement of huge number of Belgians from that region into the Paris attacks came as expected information.
Belgian prosecutors working with their French counterparts on Paris attacks said that the two attackers were French and they had been staying in Brussels. After investigating the matter, Belgian police detained seven more people in Brussels during raids on Saturday. The seven detainees were arrested by the bomb disposal deployment units and army demining members, according to the Belgian justice ministry.
Belgian officials alleged that either one of the two dead attackers or both of them, and five of the detained ones had spent time in Molenbeek. The two cars found tied during the attacks were taken on rent in Belgium. The officials said that at least one of the cars had Belgian number plates, as suggested by the parking ticket found. The ticket proved the driver had lived in Molenbeek.
“Molenbeek has always been a transit community,” said borough’s deputy mayor Ahmed El Khannouss. “I know everyone thinks it’s a base for radicals and terrorists, but a lot of that is stigmatisation.” It was dangerous to link the radicals with the locals, he added.
Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.
