Belgian Raids Net 16 Arrests, Paris Fugitive Still at Large

The Associated Press
The Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — The latest on the deadly attacks in Paris and the heightened security in Europe (All times local):

1:50 a.m.

Belgian prosecutors announce they have detained 16 people in raids linked to possible attacks in Belgium but said Paris fugitive Salah Abdeslam was not among them.

Federal prosecutor Eric Van Der Sypt said that “no firemarms or explosives were discovered,” in the 22 raids — 19 in Brussels and the three in Charleroi in the country’s south.

“The investigation continues,” he said.

One of those detained was injured when a car he was in tried to ram police during an attempted getaway.

11:40 p.m.

A government official says a series of police raids in central Brussels have ended, hours after the government decided to keep its terror alert at the highest possible level.

The situation was tense Sunday night in the wider area around the Grand Place, with police out in force and several raids looking for suspects going on. At one point, security forces closed off streets and yelled at people to stay away.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was still ongoing, said the results of the raids would be discussed at a press conference to be held shortly.

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6:40 p.m.

French police have issued a new appeal to identify the third man involved in the attacks at the national stadium on Nov. 13.

National Police on Sunday posted a photo of the man on Twitter, appealing to the public for information that would help identify him. The man was among three people who died in the attacks outside the stadium.

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6:30 p.m.

The national anthem is being sung across soccer stadiums in France as a show of unity in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Before Caen’s game against Angers on Sunday, a teenage girl struck up the La Marseillaise before fans joined in a heartfelt rendition.

In chilly Brittany, dozens of children dressed either all in blue, white or red formed a human French flag in the center circle moments before the match between Rennes and Bordeaux.

Even on the island of Corsica, where many resent the central government in France, fans applauded after the anthem was played before Bastia hosted Gazelec Ajaacio in the derby at Stade Armand Cesari. A banner spread on the pitch read “Ripusate in Pace” — “Rest in Peace” in Corsican.

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6:10 p.m.

Belgium government officials are holding a national security council meeting on whether to lower the capital’s threat alert level and restore normalcy as the work week is set to return on Monday.

Weekend measures have included shutting down Brussels’ subway system and canceling public activities. They have created an eerie calm in the heart of the city, which is usually bustling with tourists and residents.

Upon entering the security council meeting on Sunday evening, Belgian Vice President Kris Peeters said “tomorrow, we have school. There are the businesses. We have a new situation.”

He added that “we have to make decisions to avoid that Brussels will be an empty city.”

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