Paris attacks: Police questioned, released suspect after attack
Suspect Saleh Abdeslam is now the focus of an international manhunt
 "Investigating police officers work outside the Stade de France stadium after an explosion and after international friendly soccer match France against Germany, in Saint Denis, outside Paris. Photo: AP/PTI")
Investigating police officers work outside the Stade de France stadium after an explosion and after international friendly soccer match France against Germany, in Saint Denis, outside Paris. Photo: AP/PTI
Four French officials have said that the police questioned and released the fugitive suspect hours after the Paris attacks.
The questioning came when the police pulled over a car near the Belgian border, hours after authorities had already identified Saleh Abdeslam as the renter of a Volkswagen Polo that was abandoned at the scene of the attack.
Abdeslam is now the focus of an international manhunt. One of his brothers detonated a suicide vest in central Paris and another was ultimately detained in Belgium.
He was one of three people in a car stopped by police Saturday morning, hours after the attacks that left at least 140 dead, the officials said.
Three French police officials and a top French security official confirmed all that officers stopped Abdeslam and checked his ID and then let him go.
The officials spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose details of the investigation.
The questioning came when the police pulled over a car near the Belgian border, hours after authorities had already identified Saleh Abdeslam as the renter of a Volkswagen Polo that was abandoned at the scene of the attack.
Abdeslam is now the focus of an international manhunt. One of his brothers detonated a suicide vest in central Paris and another was ultimately detained in Belgium.
Also Read
He was one of three people in a car stopped by police Saturday morning, hours after the attacks that left at least 140 dead, the officials said.
Three French police officials and a top French security official confirmed all that officers stopped Abdeslam and checked his ID and then let him go.
The officials spoke only on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose details of the investigation.
Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel
First Published: Nov 16 2015 | 4:57 AM IST