Belgian police release new footage of 'man in the hat'

[webfact]

Belgian police release new footage of 'man in the hat'



BRUSSELS: -- Belgian police on Monday released CCTV footage of the third suspect in the Brussels airport blasts, walking alongside the two presumed suicide bombers.

The appeal indicates the man, thought to have had a bomb with him, is still on the run.

It comes as police released freelance journalist Faycal Cheffou who Belgian media
had pointed to as the suspected “man in the hat” in the airport footage.

Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said it had freed a man it had named only as Faycal C., adding it had no evidence to justify holding him. He had been charged on Saturday with “terrorist murder”.

Meanwhile, Italian police released a mugshot of Algerian national Djamal Eddine Ouali, who was detained near Salerno on Saturday on suspicion of having provided false documents to militants involved in the deadly Brussels and Paris attacks.

As moves to extradite him to Belgium begin, a number of suspects are reportedly still at large with Europe on edge amid fears ISIL could strike again.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-03-29

[webfact]

Belgian police hunt airport suspect; victim toll rises to 35
By JOHN-THOR DAHLBURG

BRUSSELS (AP) — As the number of victims in the Brussels suicide attacks rose to 35, Belgian police released a video of a mysterious man in a dark hat seen in the company of the bombers who attacked Brussels Airport, indicating that he is still at large.

"Police are seeking to identify this man," the Belgian Federal Police's website said Monday.

The video's release came as a Belgian magistrate also ruled that a man identified as Faycal C., who was arrested during the police raids that followed the March 22 attacks, could be released.

Faycal C. was among those taken into custody and facing preliminary terror charges. Belgian media reported the man was the mysterious suspect in the white jacket and dark hat spotted with the two bombers at the airport the morning of the attacks.

But the Belgian magistrate ruled that new evidence uncovered by investigators revealed there were no grounds to keep Faycal C. in custody and he was released, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office said.

The Belgian Federal Police's website posted a 32-second video of the still-unidentified suspect as he wheels baggage through the terminal alongside the bombers.

"If you recognize this individual or you have information concerning this attack, please contact investigators," police asked.

Tensions remain high in the city, particularly in the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek, where several of those involved in both the attacks on Brussels and those in Paris last November, hailed from.

Jamal Ikazban, a member of the Molenbeek council, tweeted Monday that young people in the neighborhood were being sent text messages by recruiters. Ikazban did not provide further details, beyond writing that "We must ensure these recruiters can do no more damage."

Belgian authorities also announced that three more people swept up in police raids that followed the attacks on the airport and on a Brussels subway train were being held on charges of participating in terrorist activities.

It was not clear if the suspects ordered held by an investigating judge were linked to the attacks themselves. The three — identified by Belgian prosecutors as Yassine A., Mohamed B. and Aboubaker O. — were detained during 13 police searches Sunday in Brussels and the northern cities of Mechelen and Duffel.

The federal prosecutors' office provided no details of the alleged actions committed by the suspects and released a fourth person without charge.

The bombings, the bloodiest in recent Belgian history, were claimed by the Islamic State extremist group and confirmed Belgium's status as an unwitting rear base from which Muslim extremists can stage attacks in Europe. Many of those responsible for the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds came from Belgium.

Four more people wounded in the Brussels attacks died in the hospital, Belgian Health Minister Maggie De Block announced on her Twitter account Monday.

She posted: "Four patients deceased in hospital. Medical teams did all possible. Total victims: 35. Courage to all the families."

De Block had reported over the weekend that 101 of the 270 wounded in the blasts were still being treated in hospitals, including 32 in burn units. A doctor at one of those burn units who had once served in Afghanistan described patients' wounds as shocking.

One week after the devastating attacks, which severely damaged Brussels Airport's departure area, the facility is planning to test its capacity to partially resume passenger service.

Florence Muls, an airport communications manager, said 800 staff members on Tuesday will test temporary infrastructure and new arrangements designed to handle passenger check-ins.

It's too early to say when airport service might actually resume, she said, adding that government and firefighters must approve the new system before Brussels Airport can start handling passenger traffic again.

Before the bombings, Brussels Airport served some 600 flights a day and 23.5 million passengers per year.
___

Lori Hinnant in Brussels contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-03-29

[Credo]

I would think they could hold him under protective custody. If he's not a threat, I am sure there are those that won't believe it and his safety could be jeopardy. At a minimum he is witness to the behavior of the two bombers. I don't think anyone any closer to those two is alive to describe the moments before the bombs went off.

[SgtRock]

I would think they could hold him under protective custody. If he's not a threat, I am sure there are those that won't believe it and his safety could be jeopardy. At a minimum he is witness to the behavior of the two bombers. I don't think anyone any closer to those two is alive to describe the moments before the bombs went off.

It is rather strange that this individual has been released so quickly.

Even more so when he is on a US watch list.

[tonbridgebrit]

Arresting people and then releasing them is rubbish. Doing this, they are undermining the confidence people have in the system.

It would be better to carry on having the man in custody, and just say that he is suspected of doing it. That way, people will FEEL safer.

[Thorgal]

Arresting people and then releasing them is rubbish. Doing this, they are undermining the confidence people have in the system.

It would be better to carry on having the man in custody, and just say that he is suspected of doing it. That way, people will FEEL safer.

They've arrested the wrong Faycal C from the airport CCTV footage. The wrong on is in fact a news reporter who could prove his whereabouts.

People will feel safer if the bad guy is arrested. The wrong one should be released if innocent.

[tonbridgebrit]

Arresting people and then releasing them is rubbish. Doing this, they are undermining the confidence people have in the system.

It would be better to carry on having the man in custody, and just say that he is suspected of doing it. That way, people will FEEL safer.

They've arrested the wrong Faycal C from the airport CCTV footage. The wrong on is in fact a news reporter who could prove his whereabouts.

People will feel safer if the bad guy is arrested. The wrong one should be released if innocent.

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect1459222091.734160.jpg

YOU are making a sensible comment. But we've got to bear in mind that right now, there is media hysteria going on. Common sense has gone out of the window. They can still keep this wrong Faycal C in custody, ban him from talking to the media whilst he's detained. And if they arrest the real bomber, well, that's when they release this particular Faycal C. With an apology.

The whole thing is psychological. Psychological warfare.

Faycal, sounds like faeces. Faeces C. And right now, we're seeing a load of faeces in the media.

[tonbridgebrit]

And that photo you've put up. Well yes, most people would believe it that he IS the bomber. He does, after all, look like a Muslim.

[Steely Dan]

The bombings, the bloodiest in recent Belgian history, were claimed by the Islamic State extremist group and confirmed Belgium's status as an unwitting rear base from which Muslim extremists can stage attacks in Europe. Many of those responsible for the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds came from Belgium.

How very appropriate that the headquarters of the EU should also house the forward command base of an alien hostile culture. This helps demonstrate just how related the two are.

[Thorgal]

And that photo you've put up. Well yes, most people would believe it that he IS the bomber. He does, after all, look like a Muslim.

For your information:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Belgium-admits-it-arrested-wrong-man-in-terror-attack/articleshow/51592708.cms

Concerning other arrests, suspects :

Apparently, but not confirmed, another suspect who has been shot in his leg by Belgian special intervention team in front of his daughter is also innocent. Again, not confirmed, but the media and the police investigation can't link him to the Paris and Brussels attacks.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3509420/Two-explosions-heard-Brussels-anti-terror-police-launch-fresh-raid-wake-suicide-attacks.html

Edited March 29, 2016 by Thorgal

[TheCruncher]

Arresting people and then releasing them is rubbish. Doing this, they are undermining the confidence people have in the system.

It would be better to carry on having the man in custody, and just say that he is suspected of doing it. That way, people will FEEL safer.

They've arrested the wrong Faycal C from the airport CCTV footage. The wrong on is in fact a news reporter who could prove his whereabouts.

People will feel safer if the bad guy is arrested. The wrong one should be released if innocent.

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect1459222091.734160.jpg

YOU are making a sensible comment. But we've got to bear in mind that right now, there is media hysteria going on. Common sense has gone out of the window. They can still keep this wrong Faycal C in custody, ban him from talking to the media whilst he's detained. And if they arrest the real bomber, well, that's when they release this particular Faycal C. With an apology.

The whole thing is psychological. Psychological warfare.

Faycal, sounds like faeces. Faeces C. And right now, we're seeing a load of faeces in the media.

So you endorse that proven innocent people should be in jail?

[Thorgal]

I would think they could hold him under protective custody. If he's not a threat, I am sure there are those that won't believe it and his safety could be jeopardy. At a minimum he is witness to the behavior of the two bombers. I don't think anyone any closer to those two is alive to describe the moments before the bombs went off.

It is rather strange that this individual has been released so quickly.

Even more so when he is on a US watch list.

The tragic attacks in Brussels resulted in 35 fatalities.

3 of them have still not been identified through DNA results. We don't know if the 3 persons are all victims or at least one of them a terrorist...

[SgtRock]

I would think they could hold him under protective custody. If he's not a threat, I am sure there are those that won't believe it and his safety could be jeopardy. At a minimum he is witness to the behavior of the two bombers. I don't think anyone any closer to those two is alive to describe the moments before the bombs went off.

It is rather strange that this individual has been released so quickly.

Even more so when he is on a US watch list.

The tragic attacks in Brussels resulted in 35 fatalities.

3 of them have still not been identified through DNA results. We don't know if the 3 persons are all victims or at least one of them a terrorist...

I am aware that the fatality count is now at 35. I think I have said all that needs to be said on other threads.

I made a comment regarding the OP, specifically the man in the hat and made a reference to a news story from 4 days ago.

US authorities know the identity of the third Brussels airport bomber who is believed to be on the run, Sky News has learned.

The man, who was caught on CCTV wearing a white jacket and a black hat before the attacks, is on the US terror watch list.

http://news.sky.com/story/1666588/us-identifies-third-brussels-airport-bomber

If there is a point to your reply. I apologise, but it completely escapes me.

[Suradit69]

footage of 'man in the hat'

Sounds like something from Dr. Seuss.

"If you recognize this individual or you have information concerning this attack, please contact investigators," police asked.

I thought that prior to the attack the Turkish government warned them that they had deported one of the alleged attackers and that he was a high-risk threat. Seems that even when handed information they are clueless how to deal with it.

That famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot must be spinning in his grave.