The Belgian man suspected of being the plotter of the Paris terrorist attacks was a target of Western airstrikes on the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa, Syria, as recently as last month, a European security official said on Tuesday.
The man, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, 27, a fighter for the Islamic State, is believed to have escaped to Syria from Belgium after the authorities in January foiled another terrorist plot, which had targeted the eastern Belgian city of Verviers, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational details.
Federal prosecutors in Belgium on Tuesday charged two Belgian citizens - Hamza Attou, 21, a Brussels native; and Mohamed Amri, 27, who was born in Morocco - with participation in a terrorist activity or organization, in connection with Friday's attacks.
They were among seven men arrested on Saturday; the other five have been released.