Paris attacks mastermind identified
- 9 years ago
French officials identified the suspected mastermind of Friday's string of unprecedented attacks in Paris as Belgian national Abdelhamid Abaaoud on Monday afternoon.
Authorities said that Abaaoud was also suspect in thwarted attacks on a train and church and that he is currently located in Syria.
Another main suspect of participation in the attacks, 26-year-old Abdeslam Salah, remained free Monday morning after French media reports revealed that he had been questioned by police and then released just hours after Friday's attacks.
In addtion to a state of emergency, French President Francois Hollande shocked the world by announcing the complete closure of the country's border just after the attacks, apparently in an attempt to stop and capture Salah and any other fleeing suspects.
Authorities said that Abaaoud was also suspect in thwarted attacks on a train and church and that he is currently located in Syria.
Another main suspect of participation in the attacks, 26-year-old Abdeslam Salah, remained free Monday morning after French media reports revealed that he had been questioned by police and then released just hours after Friday's attacks.
In addtion to a state of emergency, French President Francois Hollande shocked the world by announcing the complete closure of the country's border just after the attacks, apparently in an attempt to stop and capture Salah and any other fleeing suspects.