Terrorism

Paris Attacks investigation: Officials identify new suspect, possible Abdeslam accomplice

Officials identify new Paris attacks suspect
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Officials identify new Paris attacks suspect

Another suspect with alleged ties to the Paris terror attacks was named Monday by officials who urged the public to assist in the hunt.

Last week's arrest of Salah Abdeslam — suspected plotter and aborted suicide attacker — in Brussels, Belgium, was viewed as a potentially massive intelligence opportunity to glean insight into ISIS.

Police at the scene of a security operation in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek in Brussels, Belgium, March 18, 2016.
Francois Lenoir | Reuters

Abdeslam spent four months on-the-run as authorities across Europe sought his capture — along with a man who went under the alias of Soufiane Kayal and was traveling with him on a fake Belgian identity card.

Belgium's federal prosecutor said Monday that Kayal's real identity had been established as Najim Laachraoui, 24.

Laachraoui's DNA was been found at an address in Brussels raided by police last week, the prosecutor's office added, and appealed for the public's help in tracking the suspect down.

Salah Abdeslam is wanted in connection with the Paris attacks.
Paris suspect Abdeslam captured in raid: Belgian PM

The new appeal comes as Abdeslam, 26, remains in custody in Belgium. French officials are seeking his extradition.

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said Saturday that Abdeslam had backed out of targeting the Stade de France in the November attacks — comments which led the suspect's lawyer to threaten legal action.

The Nov. 13 attacks killed 130 people across the French capital.