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       Belgium at Highest Terror Alert After 'Precise' Attack Information

   by VOA News

   Belgian authorities raised the terror alert level for Brussels to the
   highest level, warning of a possible attack similar to the one in Paris
   that killed 130 people eight days ago.

   Prime Minister Charles Michel said Saturday the alert level was raised
   to category 4 in response to "quite precise information about the risk
   of an attack like the one that happened in Paris."

   There is a concern that "several individuals with arms and explosives
   could launch an attack...perhaps even in several places," Michel said
   at a news conference.

   A security statement issued earlier warned citizens to stay away from
   crowded public areas, such as concerts, shopping areas and transport
   hubs, if possible.

   ''The move to the highest possible threat level comes one week after
   terrorist attacks claimed by Islamic State left 130 people dead in
   Paris.

   Acting on a recommendation from police, authorities also shut down the
   Brussels Metro system until at least Sunday in response to the threat.

   Paris attacks

   On the night of November 13, militants carried out a series of bomb and
   gun attacks throughout Paris. The assault was claimed by the Islamic
   State extremist group.

   A key suspect - now the subject of an international search warrant - is
   still at large and may be in Belgium.

   Salah Abdeslam was last seen driving toward the Belgian border. Police
   stopped and questioned him a few hours after the attacks before letting
   him go.

   Brussels was also home to Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who allegedly planned and
   coordinated the Paris attack before being killed Wednesday during a
   massive police raid of his hideout in the northern Paris suburb of
   Saint-Denis.

   Turkey on Saturday arrested a Belgian citizen and two Syrians suspected
   of "aiding and abetting" Islamic State terrorists.

   The Belgian citizen, who is of Moroccan descent, is accused of carrying
   out reconnaissance for the attack in Paris, according to the Dogan news
   agency.

   Charges filed

   Late Friday, Belgium charged a third, unidentified person with
   involvement in terrorism. No other details were released. Two others
   are in Belgian custody and face similar charges related to the Paris
   attacks.

   Belgian authorities conducted nine raids Thursday in several parts of
   Brussels. Nine people were arrested.

   Some of the homes searched were in the Molenbeek neighborhood where
   Abdelslam lived along with his brother Ibrahim, who blew himself up
   outside one of the cafes attacked in Paris.

   Some of the raids were connected to Bilal Hadfi, one of the terrorists
   who blew himself up outside the French stadium that was attacked.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/belgium-at-highest-terror-alert-after-precise-attack-information/3067973.html