Moroccan police arrest Belgian man who had 'direct relationship' with Paris attackers

Moroccan police have arrested a Belgian man of Moroccan descent linked to the Islamic State (IS) group and who had a “direct relationship” to attackers who carried out the Paris attacks, said Morocco’s interior ministry.

The man had spent time in Syria getting military training and building relationships with IS field commanders, “including the mastermind” of the Paris attacks, and others who threatened attacks in France and Belgium, the ministry said in a statement.

The statement identified the suspect only by the initials ‘J A’, and did not explain his suspected relationship to the Paris attackers.

Several of the Islamic extremists who targeted a Paris rock concert, stadium and cafes had Moroccan origins and links to Belgium.

The attacks on November 13 killed 130 people.

The ministry said the man was arrested in the town of Mohammedia near Casablanca, after travelling through Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

It said the suspect is under investigation. Belgian prosecutors did not immediately comment on the arrest.

At least one of the Paris attackers remains at large.