Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Paris attacks: Belgian mayor 'had list of Isis terrorists including mastermind and gunmen' month before massacres

Françoise Schepmans said it was 'not her job' to track possible terrorists

Lizzie Dearden
Wednesday 25 November 2015 17:40 GMT
Comments
Fran¬oise Schepmans, mayor of the suburb of Molenbeek, has been criticised for radicalisation in the suburb
Fran¬oise Schepmans, mayor of the suburb of Molenbeek, has been criticised for radicalisation in the suburb (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Belgian authorities allegedly had a list of suspected jihadists including the “mastermind” of the Paris attacks and the two brothers who carried them out – a month before the massacre took place.

Françoise Schepmans, the mayor of the Molenbeek district of Brussels where several of the Isis extremists had lived, was allegedly handed the names and addresses of more than 80 people believed to be Islamist militants, the New York Times reported.

“What was I supposed to do about them? It is not my job to track possible terrorists,” Ms Schepmans reportedly said in an interview, claiming it was “the responsibility of the federal police”.

What is it like to live in the most vilified jihadist hotbed in Europe?

Speaking to Europe 1 radio today, she admitted a “terrorist network was formed in Molenbeek” and that fundamentalism had been growing in the suburb since the 1970s.

“It is up to state security services to control what preachers are saying,” she added. “The municipal authority has different tasks.”

Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who was killed in a police raid in Saint-Denis last week, was believed to have orchestrated the attacks that killed 130 people on 13 November.

The 28-year-old was already known to have left for Syria to fight for Isis in early 2014 and had been prosecuted in absentia for recruiting extremists, as well as being linked to several failed terror plots.

Abdelhamid Abaaoud boasted of his escape from authorities in Belgium following a failed terrorist attack in an interview published in Isis' propaganda magazine in February
Abdelhamid Abaaoud boasted of his escape from authorities in Belgium following a failed terrorist attack in an interview published in Isis' propaganda magazine in February (Dabiq)

He was associated with Paris suicide bomber Brahim Abdeslam and his younger brother Salah, who is still on the run for authorities after possibly deciding against blowing himself up and dumping his explosive vest in a bin before fleeing the French capital.

Francois Molins, the Paris public prosecutor, revealed more findings in the continuing investigation yesterday, saying phone records showed Abaaoud was at the Bataclan concert hall where 90 people were killed as the operation to free hostages continued.

French authorities believe the jihadist, who had boasted about his repeated escapes from security services in an Isis propaganda magazine, was preparing a new attack on Paris’ La Defence business district days later.

Mr Molins said the plot could have been carried out on 18 or 19 November but was stopped by the police raid on the Saint-Denis apartment where Abaaoud was sheltering with his cousin and at least one other militant.

Police originally said Hasna Ait Boulahcen had killed herself in a suicide bombing but later said the explosive vest was detonated by a third person who has not been identified.

DNA from that person matched that found on a Kalashnikov rifle left in a black Seat Léon used by the restaurant attackers.

Mr Molins also said Salah Abdeslam was filmed in a petrol station in Ressons with a man identified as Mohamed Abrini, 30, on 11 November.

A European and international arrest warrant has been issued against Abrini and authorities have warned that he is “dangerous” and “probably armed”.

Additional reporting by agencies

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in