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Salah Abdeslam

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Salah Abdeslam
Born (1989-09-15) 15 September 1989 (age 34)
Brussels, Belgium
NationalityFrench
Known forNovember 2015 Paris attacks
Military career
AllegianceIslamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Salah Abdeslam (born 15 September 1989) is a Belgian-born Frenchman, a known criminal, and a terrorism suspect. He rented a car used to drive the attackers to the Bataclan theatre preceding the November 2015 Paris attacks, in which 130 people were killed and 368 others were injured. Soon after the details of the attacks became public, he was billed by some newspapers as Public Enemy No. 1, or as "the most wanted" for crimes by the authorities in Europe. Having escaped and subsequently evaded the police authorities, he became "the target of one of the largest manhunts in European history."

Abdeslam is known to have had contacts or social links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, since the ISIL organization subsequently made a claim of responsibility for the attack. Of the men known to be involved in the attacks, he is the only one presumed to be still alive.

Personal background

Salah Abdeslam was born on 15 September 1989 in Brussels, Belgium. His parents are immigrants who were living in Bouyafar, a small village in Morocco, prior to emigration.[1] Abdeslam and Abdelhamid Abaaoud were friends as children, when both were living in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek.[2] He had two brothers, Brahim and Mohammed. Ibrahim committed suicide using a bomb at the Stade de France during the Paris attacks, while Mohammed had no involvement with the attacks.[3] According to his brother Mohammed, Salah Abdeslam was married for some time but later divorced.[4]

Abdeslam was employed by STIB-MIVB as a mechanic from September 2009 to 2011.[2][5] His employment was terminated due to his repeated absences.[6][7]

According to one source, Abdeslam was already known to police authorities as a person involved in so-called "small-time" crimes.[8][9] Another states that both he and Abaaoud were imprisoned for armed robbery during 2010.[2] According to the lawyer representing Abaaoud, Abaaoud and Salah Abdeslam were arrested during December 2010 for attempting to break into a parking garage.[10] The New Zealand Herald states Salah Abdeslam was convicted in February 2011 for breaking and entering.[4]

From December 2013, Abdeslam was manager of a bar named Les Béguines in Molenbeek, in the west of Brussels, after his brother Brahim took over the license (10 March 2013). Most of the bar's customers were of Magrebian origin. The bar was closed when authorities discovered that hallucinogenic substances were being used there.[5] The bar was named after the Beguines order of women, who originated in Belgium in 1200 A.D., and were supporters of religious reform.[11] Salah Abdeslam apparently used to spend a large amount of time playing games on a PlayStation console while at Les Béguines.[12][13] Customers of a gay bar in Brussels told the British Sunday Times that Abdeslam had been a frequent visitor, and had been a reputed user of cannabis in addition to drinking alcohol while at the bar.[14]

Preceding the attacks

A fireworks salesman in Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône stated Abdeslam purchased about a dozen electric detonators from him about one year prior to the attacks. He left his driving license at the firm for a period of time for an unknown reason.[15]

Within the nine months preceding the attacks, Abdeslam was said to have made a series of journeys to six countries.[16]

According to Mohamed Abdeslam, both Salah and Brahim Abdeslam practiced Ṣalāh (prayer) about six months prior to the attacks.[12] Mohamed said he had no reason to suspect his siblings of planning anything.[17]

Ahmet Dahmani was with Abdeslam during August, when the two travelled from Italy to Greece and back using a ferry service. Dahmani was arrested on 21 November in Antalya, Turkey, as a member of an ISIS-affiliated Belgian-French network.[18]

Both Salah Abdeslam and his brother Brahim Abdeslam were living together in Brussels, a few months before the attacks. According to a journalist reporting for the The Mail Online, they were both questioned by Belgian authorities when one of the two attempted to travel to Syria, and both were subsequently released. An official for the federal prosecutor's office of Belgium apparently stated to Politico that both were already known to have been radicalized.[19]

Abdeslam was named on a list of people suspected of involvement in terrorist activities, which was provided to the mayor of Molenbeek by the intelligence services of Belgium on 26 October.[20] The mayor later stated that she did not use the list to track down possible terrorists, adding that it was the responsibility of the federal police.[21]

The newspaper Le Point reported that Abdeslam is known to have used the website booking.com to rent rooms 312 and 311 of the Apart'City hotel in Alfortville, two days prior to the armed attack. Police apparently found syringes and pizza in the room. DNA traces indicated Abdeslam shared the room with others.[22] According to another source, the rooms were apparently booked for the days dating from 11 to 17 November.[23] A man named Mohamed Abrini was seen with Abdeslam on video footage recovered by police from 11 November. In the footage, the two had stopped a black Renault Clio at a petrol station.[24][25]

Statements made to France 2 stated Salah Abdeslam and his brother Brahim were arguing on the night of 12 November.[26]

Involvement in Paris attacks

See also: November 2015 Paris attacks

Abdeslam is known from CCTV images to have been the driver of a SEAT containing a number of men involved in the Paris attacks. Two men from within the car, one of whom was his brother, killed a number of people using machine guns while they were on terraces of bars in the 10th and 11th arrondissements of Paris. The car was later recovered.[8] Kalashnikov automatic weaponry were subsequently found in a León model car[27] recovered after the events.[28] Another report additionally mentions that five magazines, and eleven magazines containing no bullets were found in the same vehicle, together with finger-print evidence.[27] A report on 16 November states both Salah Abdeslam and Brahim Abdeslam were traced to two vehicles, a SEAT and a Volkswagen rented by Salah.[29]

Reports from both police and friends indicated that Abdeslam was supposed to launch an additional suicide bomber attack in the 18th arrondissement. ISIL claimed responsibility for eight attackers, but only seven were found dead at the scene. They also claimed an attack in the 18th arrondissement, but no such attack took place. Instead, investigators found Abdeslam's abandoned car there.[30][31]

A Renault-type vehicle, was reportedly discovered in Albert Kahn Square in the 18th arrondissement of Paris.[19][23] An associate of Abdeslam reportedly claimed he heard Abdeslam stating he had shot people in Paris while they were driving away from the city after the attacks.[32]

Escape

Comments made by police with regards to the facts of Abdeslam's movements indicated that he had not made plans for escape.[33]

Call

While the events at the Bataclan theatre were unfolding, Abdeslam made a phone call to associates in Brussels, requesting they drive to him in order to help him escape. After the conclusion of the attacks, he wandered the streets for a period of approximately seven hours.[8] Abdeslam was said later to be crying at the time of the call. [34] A data trace of the aforementioned call shows Abdeslam was in Montrouge at the time,[26] and that the call was received by a cell site in Châtillon,[35] likely either Châtillon-la-Borde or Châtillon, Hauts-de-Seine. [36][37]

Collection

Abdeslam was collected while he was near the Boulevard Barbès in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. [38][39] Hamza Attou and Mohammed Amri were arrested because they drove Abdeslam after the shootings, and were charged with participating in a terrorist act by the Belgian authorities.[40]

Escape

The vehicle carrying Abdeslam, Attou, and Amri[32] was stopped by officers at Cambrai en route to Belgium, but allowed to continue[29][41] because there was no evidence of Abdeslam's involvement in the attacks at the time.[42] According to Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon, a database at the police checkpoint began showing details on Abdeslam fifteen minutes after his departure.[43] The officers at the checkpoint were also distracted by the smell of marijuana, which had earlier been smoked by Attou and Amri.[32]

Ali Oulkadi, who was detained by Brussels police, provided assistance to Abdeslam by driving him to another part of Brussels on 14 November. Oulkadi claimed he received a phone call from someone requesting him to drive someone to an unspecified location. He stated he was unaware at the time the person was Abdeslam. Oulkadi drove to Laeken, where he found Abdeslam and the caller. Oulkadi and Abdeslam went to a café where a brief verbal exchange ensued on the events of Paris. Afterwards, Abdeslam was given directions to journey to Schaerbeek.[44]

Manhunt

French and Belgian authorities released Abdeslam's photo and name on 15 November.[44] Afterwards, he was labeled as "Public Enemy No. 1".[45][46] Abdeslam's brother Mohammed gave a televised message to his brother, urging him to turn himself in if he was involved in the Paris attacks.[47]

At 10:00 on 16 December, Belgian police entered a location where Abdeslam was believed to have been hiding. It was reported that the authorities were unable to enter the location during the previous day because of a Belgian law that prohibited officers from forcibly entering a home between the hours of 21:00 and 05:00, except for situations where services were acting to apprehend criminals suspected of specific crimes. In addition, the authorities had to wait in order to eliminate the risk towards students at a school and 200–300 worshipers at a mosque, both close to the location.[48][49]

References

  1. ^ "Qui sont vraiment les trois frères Abdeslam? (PORTRAIT)" [Who are really the three brothers Abdeslam? (PORTRAIT)]. La Dernière Heure. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Ben Farmer (20 November 2015). "Salah Abdeslam: The former bar manager now on the run as one of the world's most wanted terrorists". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  3. ^ Hannah Roberts; Julian Robinson (16 November 2015). "Mother of Paris suicide bomber says her son may have blown himself up because of stress... while his brother says the family 'are thinking of the victims' after he is released without charge". Mail Online. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Family in shock, says fugitive's brother". The New Zealand Herald. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  5. ^ a b Yann Thompson; Kocila Makdeche (18 November 2015). "ENQUETE. Drogue, prison et Ligue des champions : sur la trace des frères Abdeslam" [SURVEY. Drugs, prison and Champions League: on the trail of Abdeslam brothers]. francetvinfo. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  6. ^ Anne Barker (18 November 2015). "Salah Abdeslam: The former bar manager now on the run as one of the world's most wanted terrorists". ABC. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  7. ^ Hans Von Der Burchard (17 November 2015). "Belgium ignored signals on Abdeslam brothers". Politico. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  8. ^ a b c John Lichfield (19 November 2015). "'Eighth' Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam could also be on the run from Isis amid fears the group would exact revenge on his family". The Independent. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  9. ^ Lichfield, John (19 November 2015). "On the run from Isis: Jihadists 'targeting Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam for chickening out of killings'". The Independent. Retrieved 19 November 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Matthew Dalton (19 November 2015). "Abdelhamid Abaaoud Had Been Arrested Multiple Times in Belgium". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  11. ^ "Encyclopedia of Monasticism". Routledge. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  12. ^ a b Jay Akbar (22 November 2015). "Two Abdeslam brothers in Paris attacks 'stopped drinking and started praying' six months before atrocity, reveals their sibling". Mail Online. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  13. ^ Mary Kay Linge (22 November 2015). "Fugitive Paris jihadist loved gay bars, drugs and PlayStation". New York Post. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  14. ^ Mary Kay Linge (22 November 2015). "Paris attack fugitive Salah Abdeslam 'visited gay bar' in Belgium". News.com.au. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  15. ^ Peter Allen (29 November 2015). "Paris terrorist Salah Abdeslam bought electric detonators a year before attacks says salesman". The Mirror. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  16. ^ John Lichfield (19 December 2015). "Salah Abdeslam: Did Paris terror suspect run away in disgust or is this just camouflage?". The Independent. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  17. ^ "France begins to work out the identities of the Paris attackers". The Economist. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  18. ^ Paul Cruickshank (4 December 2015). "Senior European official: ISIS wants to hit UK; trail for Salah Abdeslam is cold". CNN. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  19. ^ a b Imogen Calderwood (18 November 2015). "Candles for the dead... lit by the brother of the madmen who killed them: Sibling of Paris massacre duo puts on public display of support for the victims after denying any involvement". Mail Online. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  20. ^ Isabelle Fraser (26 November 2015). "Molenbeek mayor received terror suspects list including on-the-run Salah Abdeslam one month before Paris attacks". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  21. ^ Henry Samuel; Justin Huggler (16 December 2015). "Belgium 'bungled Abdeslam's arrest' two days after Paris attacks due to law banning overnight raids". The Telegraph. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  22. ^ Barry Keevins; Jason Silverstein (18 November 2015). "Paris terror suspect Salah Abdeslam left pizza, needles in suburban hotel rooms: report". The New York Daily News. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  23. ^ a b Raya Jalabi; Jessica Elgot; Jonathan Bucks (18 November 2015). "Paris attacks: Germany on alert after 'concrete' threat to attack Hanover stadium – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "Paris Terror Attacks: New Suspect Sought". Sky News. MSN. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  26. ^ a b "Suspected Suicide Belt Found In Paris Dustbin". Sky News. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  27. ^ a b Patrick Sawer; Lexi Finnigan (15 November 2015). "Paris attacks: Gunmen may still be on the loose as Kalashnikovs and empty magazines found in abandoned car in city suburb". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  28. ^ Tom Porter (15 November 2015). "Paris attacks: Police hunt for 8th suspect as Kalashnikov assault rifles found in abandoned car". International Business Times. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  29. ^ a b "Paris attacks: Manhunt for Salah Abdeslam and accomplices". BBC News. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  30. ^ "Wanted Paris attacked fears for his life from ISIS". Daily Star. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  31. ^ "ISIS Paris gunman skypes friends from Brussels for help". Daily Mirror. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  32. ^ a b c David Chazan (20 December 2015). "Pot-smoking friends saved Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  33. ^ Flora Drury (19 November 2015). "Is this the on-the-run Paris jihadist in disguise? Image 'circulated by French police shows Salah Abdeslam in wig and glasses' as it emerges he's also fleeing ISIS commanders who are angry that he backed out of suicide attack". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  34. ^ S. Carr - Paris terror attacks fugitive Salah Abdeslam 'cried like 12 year old' as he begged friends to rescue him Le Soir & Daily Record 22 DEC 2015 [Retrieved 2015-12-23]
  35. ^ Angelique Chrisafis (24 November 2015). "Paris attacks: 'Belt of explosives' found in litter in town south of capital". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  36. ^ Tim Lister (22 November 2015). "Salah Abdeslam: The mystery of France's most-wanted man". CNN. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  37. ^ Éric Pelletier; Stéphane Sellami (18 November 2015). "Attentats de Paris: la nuit où Salah Abdeslam s'est volatilisé" [Bombings in Paris: the night Salah Abdeslam vanished]. Le Parisien. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  38. ^ Tim Lister (22 November 2015). "Salah Abdeslam: The mystery of France's most-wanted man". CNN. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  39. ^ Éric Pelletier; Stéphane Sellami (18 November 2015). "Attentats de Paris: la nuit où Salah Abdeslam s'est volatilisé" [Bombings in Paris: the night Salah Abdeslam vanished]. Le Parisien. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  40. ^ Cassandra Vinograd; Nancy Ing; Mac William Bishop (17 November 2015). "Paris Attacks: Salah Abdeslam's Alleged Getaway Drivers Charged". NBC News. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  41. ^ Gordan Rayner; Henry Samuel; Matthew Holehouse (17 November 2015). "Paris attacks: police believe two suspects are at large". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  42. ^ Eliott C. McLaughlin (30 November 2015). "Paris terror attack suspect may be in Syria". CNN. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  43. ^ Laurens Cerulus (16 December 2015). "Police '15 minutes late' to catch Salah Abdeslam". Politico. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  44. ^ a b Valentina Pop (27 November 2015). "After Fleeing Paris Attacks, Salah Abdeslam Went to Brussels Café With Friend". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  45. ^ Anna Dubuis (17 November 2015). "One Paris attacker identified as Salah Abdeslam". The Mirror. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  46. ^ "Hunt For Public Enemy No.1 Amid Belgian Raids". Sky News. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  47. ^ Josh Feldman (17 November 2015). "Brother of Paris Terror Suspect Speaks Out on CNN: 'I Would Tell Him to Surrender'". www.mediaite.com. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  48. ^ "Paris attack fugitive Salah Abdeslam may have eluded Belgian police, prosecutor's office says". Fox News. Associated Press. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  49. ^ Jay Akbar (18 December 2015). "Paris terror suspect 'escaped police by hiding in a cupboard': Extraordinary claim Salah Abdeslam was smuggled out of hideout in furniture as hapless Belgian police sat nearby". Mail Online. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
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