Who is Salah Abdelsalam? Origin? What is his history and rise to power? Current update
Salah Abdeslam is a Belgian-born French national of Moroccan descent who was involved in the November 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. Here’s an overview of his background and current status:
Origin and Early Life
Born on September 15, 1989, in Brussels, Belgium
Raised in the Molenbeek district of Brussels
Family was of Moroccan origin but had acquired French nationality
Background and Path to Radicalization
Worked for two years at the Brussels public transport company STIB-MIVB
Drifted into petty crime and unemployment after losing his job
From 2013, helped his brother Brahim run a café-bar in Molenbeek, which became a center for drug dealing and watching Islamic State videos
Known as a small-time drug dealer and user before the attacks
Radicalized alongside childhood friend Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the suspected organizer of the Paris attacks
Role in Paris Attacks
Part of the 10-man unit that carried out the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris
Allegedly rented cars used by the attackers and drove one of the vehicles
Initially believed to have backed out of a planned suicide bombing
The attacks killed 130 people and injured over 490
Aftermath and Capture
Fled Paris after the attacks, picked up by friends and driven back to Brussels
Spent four months on the run, becoming Europe’s most wanted fugitive
Captured in Molenbeek on March 18, 2016, after a shootout with police
Trial and Sentencing
Stood trial in France for his role in the attacks
In June 2022, found guilty of terrorism and murder charges
Received a rare full-life sentence, with only a small chance of parole after 30 years
Conclusion
January 2025, Salah Abdeslam remains in prison serving his life sentence. The most recent update from February 7, 2024, indicates that he was transferred from custody in Belgium back to France to continue serving his French prison sentence.
This transfer came after his lawyers had previously obtained permission for him to serve his sentence in Belgium, closer to his family. However, the French government objected to this decision.
