Abrini admits to being ‘man in the hat’ in Brussels attack

Belgian prosecutors charge Abrini and three others with participating in ‘terrorist murders’

Mohamed Abrini has admitted to being the ‘man in the hat’ during March 22nd bombings at a Brussels airport. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
Mohamed Abrini has admitted to being the ‘man in the hat’ during March 22nd bombings at a Brussels airport. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Belgium's federal prosecutor said on Saturday that Paris attacks suspect Mohamed Abrini admitted to being the "man in the hat" seen accompanying two suicide bombers at Brussels airport on March 22nd.

“We confronted him with the video evidence prepared by our special unit,” a spokesman for the prosecutors’ office said. “He had to admit it was him.”

Belgian prosecutors have charged four more suspects with “participating in terrorist acts” linked to the Brussels attacks.

Belgian police during a search in Etterbeek, Brussels. Photograph: Stephanie Lecocq/EPA
Belgian police during a search in Etterbeek, Brussels. Photograph: Stephanie Lecocq/EPA

Belgium’s Federal Prosecution Office said Abrini, Osama K, Herve BM and Bilal EM were all charged with participating in “terrorist murders” and the “activities of a terrorist group” in relation to the March 22nd bombings in Brussels’ airport and subway.

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The attacks killed 32 people and wounded 270 others.

The statement says two other suspects arrested in the last few days have been released.

Investigators are hoping to unravel the links between the attacks and Islamic State, the radical Muslim group which straddles Iraq and Syria.

The detentions are a rare success for Belgian authorities, who have been pilloried for mishandling leads in the investigation. The interior and justice ministers had offered to resign before the detentions.

Despite multiple arrests, Brussels remains under the second-highest terror alert, meaning an attack is considered likely.

PA