Mohamed Abrini

Mohamed Abrini (born 27 December 1984)[1] is a Belgian national of Moroccan descent who is alleged to have been involved in the planning and execution of the November 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 Brussels bombings.[2]

Mohamed Abrini
Still from CCTV footage in Brussels Airport showing Mohamed Abrini
Born (1984-12-27) 27 December 1984
Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Belgium
StatusIn custody
NationalityBelgian
Known forAlleged involvement in the November 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 Brussels bombings

Personal background

Abrini is a Belgian national of Moroccan descent and was a childhood friend of both Salah Abdeslam and his brother Brahim. He was 31 at the time of his arrest.[3] Abrini grew up in Brussels, where he worked in a bakery, earning the nickname "Brioche", before becoming involved in petty crime and then with radical Islamists living in the Brussels district of Molenbeek.[4] His brother was killed in Syria fighting for the Islamic State.[5] Abrini is also believed to have fought in Syria.[6]

Alleged involvement in the November 2015 Paris attacks

During the manhunt for Salah Abdeslam, video footage was recovered, showing Abrini with Abdeslam at a petrol station on 11 November. In the footage, the two had stopped a black Renault Clio at the station.[7][8] Abrini is believed to have driven Abdeslam to Paris on 11 November.[9]

A manhunt for Abrini was launched after his association with Abdeslam was uncovered. Belgian authorities issued a warrant for his arrest, and described him as being dangerous and likely armed.[10]

Brussels bombings and arrest
Main article: 2016 Brussels bombings

Abrini is "more than likely" the "man in the hat" filmed at Brussels airport shortly before the explosions on 22 March 2016. He was filmed together with the two suicide bombers Najim Laachraoui and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui.[11] Shortly after the explosions, Abrini was filmed walking away from the airport towards the city center.[12]

On 8 April 2016, he was arrested in the Anderlecht municipality of Brussels.[3][13] After being confronted with photographs he admitted he was the "man in a hat" seen on airport security cameras.[14]

See also

References
  1. "ABRINI, MOHAMED". Interpol. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  2. McAuley, James (9 April 2016). "Belgium confirms arrest of 'man in the hat' at airport bombing". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  3. "Paris attacks: Key suspect Abrini arrested in Brussels". BBC News. BBC. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  4. Barnes, Julian E.; Norman, Laurence; Steinhauser, Gabrielle (8 April 2016). "Belgium Arrests Key Suspects in Brussels Attacks". The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  5. Botelho, Greg; Cruickshank, Paul; Almasy, Steve (9 April 2016). "Paris terror suspect Mohamed Abrini arrested in Belgium". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  6. "Who Are Mohamed Abrini And Osama Kraiem?". Sky News. Sky UK. 9 April 2016. Archived from the original on 11 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  7. "Mohamed Abrini a été vu avec Salah Abdeslam: la Belgique lance un avis de recherche international (photos)" [Abrini Mohamed Salah was seen with Abdeslam: Belgium launches an international wanted notice (photos)]. RTL. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  8. "Paris Terror Attacks: New Suspect Sought". Sky News. MSN. 24 November 2015. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  9. "Salah Abdeslam phone call leads to fifth arrest in Belgium". The Brussels Times. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  10. Jack Moore. "BELGIUM CAPTURES PARIS ATTACKS FUGITIVE MOHAMED ABRINI IN BRUSSELS". Newsweek. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  11. Thomson Reuters. "Paris attacks suspect Abrini Mohamed arrested in Brussels". CBC.ca. CBC/Radio-Canada. CBC News. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  12. The Lead with Jake Tapper (7 April 2016). "New video shows Belgian terror attacker leaving airport". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  13. Bartunek, Robert-Jan; Macdonald, Alastair (8 April 2016). "Belgians seize key suspects in Paris, Brussels attacks". Reuters. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  14. Bartunek, Robert-Jan (9 April 2016). "Belgium says Brussels attacks 'man in a hat' found and charged". Reuters. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
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