Mohamed Abrini


Mohamed Abrini is a Belgian national of Moroccan descent who is alleged to have been involved in the planning and execution of the November 2015 Paris attacks and the 2016 Brussels bombings.

Personal background

Abrini is a Belgian national of Moroccan descent and was a childhood friend of both Salah Abdeslam and his brother Brahim. He was 31 at the time of his arrest. Abrini grew up in Brussels, where he worked in a bakery, earning the nickname "Brioche", before becoming involved in petty crime and then with radical Islamists living in the Brussels district of Molenbeek. His brother was killed in Syria fighting for the Islamic State. Abrini is also believed to have fought in Syria.

Alleged involvement in the November 2015 Paris attacks

During the manhunt for Salah Abdeslam, video footage was recovered, showing Abrini with Abdeslam at a petrol station on 11 November. In the footage, the two had stopped a black Renault Clio at the station. Abrini is believed to have driven Abdeslam to Paris on 11 November.
A manhunt for Abrini was launched after his association with Abdeslam was uncovered. Belgian authorities issued a warrant for his arrest, and described him as being dangerous and likely armed.

Brussels bombings and arrest

Abrini is "more than likely" the "man in the hat" filmed at Brussels airport shortly before the explosions on 22 March 2016. He was filmed together with the two suicide bombers Najim Laachraoui and Ibrahim el-Bakraoui. Shortly after the explosions, Abrini was filmed walking away from the airport towards the city center.
On 8 April 2016, he was arrested in the Anderlecht municipality of Brussels. After being confronted with photographs he admitted he was the "man in a hat" seen on airport security cameras.