New suspect arrested linked to investigation into Brussels bombings

Xinhua News Agency

text

A new suspect linked to bombings in Brussels on March 22 was arrested following a search on Thursday in Brussels, said Friday the Belgian federal prosecutor's office in a statement.

A search as part of the investigation into Brussels attacks was launched Thursday in the municipality of Schaerbeek in Brussels. A suspect was arrested following the search.

According to the statement of the federal prosecutor, the suspect's name is Ali E.H.E, a Belgian national of 31 years old.

The individual was placed under arrest and charged with participation in a terrorist group, murder in a terrorist context and attempted murder in a terrorist context, as author, co-author or accomplice, the statement said.

"No further information can be communicated at this time," emphasized the federal prosecutor's office in the statement.

This is the seventh suspect placed under arrest in connection with the investigation into the attacks of metro and airport of Brussels on March 22, which left 32 people dead.

The other six suspects, Mohamed Abrini, Osama Krayem, the brothers Smail and Ibrahim Farisi, Bilal El Makhoukhi and Herve B. M, saw their arrest warrant extended for one month by the Brussels council chamber on Thursday.

Mohamed Abrini, the man "in the hat" for the bombing of Brussels airport, was arrested in the municipality of Anderlecht in Brussels on April 8. He was wanted since March 22 after leaving a bag of explosives in the departure hall of the airport.

Osama Krayem, arrested along with Mohamed Abrini, was filmed on March 22 in Brussels subway station of Petillon talking with Khalid El Bakraoui, the bomber of the Maelbeek station.

Bilal El Makhoukhi and Herve B. M. have meanwhile been arrested in Laeken. They are suspected of having helped to hide Mohamed Abrini and Osama Krayem.

The Smail and Ibrahim Farisi brothers, arrested on April 11, are suspected of having occupied the hideout where Osama Krayem and Khalid El Bakraoui left from, on the day of the attacks.

(APD)