Abdeslam initially ‘wanted to blow himself up’ at Paris stadium

French justice minister says that Belgium will hand over top Paris attacks suspect to France in no more than three months

By AFP 20 March 2016, 4:19 am

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This undated file photo released Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, by French Police shows 26-year old Salah Abdeslam, who is wanted by police in connection with recent terror attacks in Paris, as police investigations continue. Belgian prosecutors said Friday March 18, 2016 that fingerprints of Paris attacks fugitive Salah Abdeslam found in Brussels apartment that was raided earlier this week. (Police Nationale via AP)

Paris, France (AFP) — Captured Paris attacks fugitive Salah Abdeslam told interrogators that he “wanted to blow himself up” at the Stade de France stadium but changed his mind, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said Saturday.

“These first statements, which should be taken cautiously, leave a whole series of issues that Salah Abdeslam must explain,” Molins told a Paris news conference.

In particular, after dropping off accomplices at the Stade de France, Abdeslam was detected in the 18th arrondissement — which was one of the targets cited by the Islamic State group in its claim of responsibility for the November 13 attacks that killed 130 people.

The 18th arrondissement was spared in the rampage, which was concentrated in a trendy part of eastern Paris including the Bataclan concert hall where 90 people were massacred.

French Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas said Saturday that Belgium will hand over top Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam to France in no more than three months.

“The definitive decision… should be taken within 60 days of his arrest or 90 days if he lodges an appeal,” Urvoas said in a statement.

Abdeslam’s lawyer Sven Mary said in Brussels that he would fight his extradition to France, arguing that “there is still a Belgian investigation that should be carried out.”

The French Justice Ministry said that 90 days was the maximum amount of time it would take for Abdeslam’s transfer.

An investigating judge has formally charged Abdeslam with “participation in terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist organization,” a Belgian prosecutors statement said.

Abdeslam’s opposition to his extradition could delay but not prevent his handover to the French authorities on a European Arrest Warrant, which the European Union introduced specifically to speed up extradition cases, legal experts said.

Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins confirmed to a news conference in Paris that Abdeslam’s refusal “does not paralyze but leads to a longer process. The decision… in any case will happen within 90 days.”