The leading suspect in last November’s Paris attacks is facing questioning on Friday for the first time since his extradition from Belgium last month, and authorities hope Salah Abdeslam’s testimony sheds light on the Islamic State group’s strategies in Europe.
Abdeslam was scheduled to be transferred on Friday morning from a high-security prison in the Parisian suburb of Fleury—Merogis to the main Paris courthouse for questioning by investigating judges.
The Associated Press filmed a car arriving at the courthouse that was believed to be carrying Abdeslam, though court officials would not confirm or deny his presence. Extra gendarmes are posted throughout the imposing Palace of Justice, on an island in central Paris.
Abdeslam (26), was given a string of preliminary terrorism charges after his transfer from Belgium, where he was arrested after four months on the run.
Authorities and families of attack victims hope Abdeslam’s testimony will shed light on how IS plotted the attacks, solve mysteries that remain about what exactly happened Nov. 13, and identify others who might have been involved.
