Belgium Arrests 16 Suspects; Salah Abdeslam Still on the Run

“In the Belgian federal judicial investigation after the terror attacks in Paris, special anti-terrorist units have made 19 raids in the Brussels region and others in Molenbeek, Anderlecht, Jette, Schaerbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Forest,” the Belgian Prosecution said at a press conference.

Three more raids were conducted in Charleroi in southern Brussels, the Prosecution said.

While most of the operations took place without any incident, during a raid at a snack bar in Molenbeek, a vehicle charged at the police, prompting them to open fire twice.

The car “managed to flee, but was intercepted in Brussels and the individual inside, who was injured, was arrested,” reported the prosecution.

“At the moment, it is impossible to say whether this arrest is related to the ongoing investigation,” it added.

The prosecution did not provide any information on the objects found or the identities of those arrested during the raids and only said the Special Forces “have not found any arms or explosives.”

Abdeslam, who is now on the international wanted list, “was not found during the raids,” it added.

The Special Forces believe a suspect – who could be Abdeslam – was spotted near Liege at around 18:30 GMT, Belgian newspapers Le Soir and La Libre Belgique reported.

According to media reports, the suspect was seen in a BMW Series 3 or 5 car heading towards Germany on the E40 highway; however, the prosecution is yet to confirm this.

“The investigation needed an intervention this Sunday night, and since it is ongoing, we cannot give more details now,” the authorities said.

The prosecution also thanked the media and social media users for recognizing the need for ongoing action and for following official dos and don’ts.

During the operation, for e.g., the police had asked the media not to broadcast live details of the raids and citizens from publishing information on their social media accounts to ensure suspects were not alerted.