BELGIAN JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES have approved in principle the extradition of Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam to France.
After two court sessions today, the federal prosecutor’s office said “the transfer is allowed”, and added that French and Belgian authorities will “jointly discuss and decide on the further steps of the transfer”.
The statement said Abdeslam gave “clear consent” for the transfer.
Abdeslam was captured on 18 March in a massive police raid in Brussels. The 13 November attacks in Paris left 130 people dead.
Earlier authorities searched a wooded, residential area in Belgium close to the French border amid reports the action is linked to the recent arrest of a man in Paris suspected of planning an attack.
Soldiers were seen looking for clues in a wooded area closes to Kortijk in western Belgium.
Local media, citing federal prosecutors, said it was linked to the arrest of Reda Kriket, who is accused of participating in a terrorist group with plans for at least one imminent attack, possessing and transporting arms and explosives, and holding fake documents.
Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said that Kriket is believed to have traveled to Syria in 2014 and 2015 and made several trips between France and Belgium.
At least three other people are in custody in the case in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Originally published 6.33pm
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