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Friday, March 18, 2016

Armed Belgian police secure the area, in this still image taken from video, upon their arrival in Molenbeeck, near Brussels, Belgium

France to Demand Extradition of Paris Mastermind After Brussels Arrest

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Following the arrest of Salah Abdeslam, the mastermind of the Paris attacks, by Brussels authorities, France is requesting an extradition.

During a joint press conference between Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and French President Francois Holland, the leaders confirmed that Abdeslam had been captured during a police operation in the Molenbeek district of Brussels, along with four other suspects. The operation was launched after Belgian authorities discovered Abdeslam's fingerprints in a Brussels apartment. Abdeslam and another suspect were reportedly injured during the raid.

Previous reports indicated that only three suspects were apprehended.
"We have detained Salah Abdeslam. Three suspects have been arrested, including Salah Abdeslam," Michel said.
According to Belgian RTFB news, the raid has officially ended, and Hollande says he expects the suspect's extradition "as rapidly as possible."
France's security council plans to hold a meeting on Saturday morning. Hollande confirmed ties between the Paris attackers and Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State and stressed that the current threat level is very high. Hollande also said there were more suspects involved in the Paris attacks than authorities originally realized. 

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