Suspect Arrested in Spain for Involvement in 2023 Brussels Terror Attack
Spanish authorities apprehend an individual linked to the fatal shooting of two Swedish football fans in Brussels.
Spanish police detained a Moroccan national in Málaga, suspected of complicity in the October 16, 2023 terror attack in Brussels, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
The suspect allegedly supplied the firearm used by Abdesalem Lassoued, who carried out the attack.
Lassoued was later killed by police.
The arrest, reported by Spain's Ministry of the Interior, occurred at Málaga Airport as the suspect was preparing to board a flight to the Netherlands.
The detained individual faces charges of terrorism, homicide, and severe injuries under Belgian law, with possible penalties including life imprisonment as stipulated by international arrest and extradition orders from Belgian authorities.
Judge Ismael Moreno of Spain’s National Court ordered the suspect's detention pending extradition.
The arrest involved officers from the National Police's Special Operations, Anti-Terrorism, and Judicial units.
This marks the second arrest in Spain linked to the Brussels attack; a Belgian national of Moroccan descent was previously arrested for connections to Lassoued.
The attack unfolded in central Brussels before a scheduled match between the national teams of Sweden and Belgium.
Lassoued, captured on security footage wearing a distinct orange jacket, was recorded discharging an automatic rifle in a busy area, targeting and killing two Swedish fans.
Passersby attempted to seek refuge from the shooter, who continued to fire indiscriminately before fleeing on a motorcycle.
Lassoued was later identified and killed by police in Schaerbeek, following his declaration of acting in retribution for perceived injustices against Muslims, a statement released on social media under the banner of the Islamic State.
The Belgian judiciary acknowledged errors in dealing with an earlier extradition request from Tunisia for the assailant, who was previously convicted for attempted murder.
Initial suspicions suggested Lassoued might have had accomplices; however, Belgian authorities have indicated he likely acted alone, despite issuing international arrest warrants for possible associates.
The suspect allegedly supplied the firearm used by Abdesalem Lassoued, who carried out the attack.
Lassoued was later killed by police.
The arrest, reported by Spain's Ministry of the Interior, occurred at Málaga Airport as the suspect was preparing to board a flight to the Netherlands.
The detained individual faces charges of terrorism, homicide, and severe injuries under Belgian law, with possible penalties including life imprisonment as stipulated by international arrest and extradition orders from Belgian authorities.
Judge Ismael Moreno of Spain’s National Court ordered the suspect's detention pending extradition.
The arrest involved officers from the National Police's Special Operations, Anti-Terrorism, and Judicial units.
This marks the second arrest in Spain linked to the Brussels attack; a Belgian national of Moroccan descent was previously arrested for connections to Lassoued.
The attack unfolded in central Brussels before a scheduled match between the national teams of Sweden and Belgium.
Lassoued, captured on security footage wearing a distinct orange jacket, was recorded discharging an automatic rifle in a busy area, targeting and killing two Swedish fans.
Passersby attempted to seek refuge from the shooter, who continued to fire indiscriminately before fleeing on a motorcycle.
Lassoued was later identified and killed by police in Schaerbeek, following his declaration of acting in retribution for perceived injustices against Muslims, a statement released on social media under the banner of the Islamic State.
The Belgian judiciary acknowledged errors in dealing with an earlier extradition request from Tunisia for the assailant, who was previously convicted for attempted murder.
Initial suspicions suggested Lassoued might have had accomplices; however, Belgian authorities have indicated he likely acted alone, despite issuing international arrest warrants for possible associates.
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