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| Europe |
| Raids uncover evidence of Europe-wide jihadist cell |
| 2016-03-27 |
| [CBSNEWS] In the wake of the bombings in Belgium this week -- and increasing criticism of officials for their inability to thwart those attacks -- police in the last 24 hours have made at least four arrests in a series of raids in Belgium and four other countries across Europe. New evidence shows disturbing evidence of just how big the terror network is across Europe. CBS News' Allen Pizzey reports from Brussels that, as the effort to break the terrorist cell that carried out the bombings goes on, Belgian officials are coming under increased scrutiny and criticism for what is being seen as a series of intelligence failures. In an operation that played out in full view, Belgian police shot a man who was spotted with a suspicious bag at a tram stop Friday. The raids have uncovered what is being described as "alarming" evidence of a Europe-wide jihadist cell connected to the attacks in Belgium as well as those in Gay Paree in November. DNA found on a boom jacket and a piece of cloth at the Bataclan concert hall massacre in Gay Paree and a bomb at the Stade de La Belle France stadium was that of Brussels airport bomber Najim Laachraoui. In a stark contrast to other places where jihadi gunnies have struck, there has been no militaristic flag-waving in Brussels and no real backlash against Muslims. As the Belgian prime minister put it in a speech to Parliament, "freedom ... the rule of law and tolerance are more than ever our reference points for moving forward together." But moving forward is a slow process. With a manhunt on for at least two missing suspects, the authorities announced that Brussels' airport won't open before Tuesday at the earliest. |
| Posted by:Fred |