Background on Salah Abdeslam and the 2015 Paris Attacks
Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving member of the command responsible for the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks that claimed 130 lives and left hundreds injured, is currently imprisoned in Vendin le Vieil, northern France. These attacks have left a deep scar on the nation’s memory, and this week, France commemorates the 10th anniversary of these tragic events with a tribute to the victims.
Investigation Expansion and Detentions
On Tuesday, Salah Abdeslam was interrogated regarding an ongoing investigation initiated in January 2025, focusing on the illegal possession of a USB drive within prison walls. The French Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) announced on Saturday that this investigation has been expanded to include the crime of associating with criminals for terrorist purposes, intending to commit a crime against persons.
In addition to Abdeslam, another individual was taken into custody for questioning on Tuesday. This detention has been extended beyond the initial 96 hours, as per French law, due to serious risks of imminent terrorist action or international cooperation requirements. This measure, requiring judicial authorization, is seldom employed in counterterrorism efforts.
According to RTL radio, this person is reportedly Abdeslam’s partner, Maëva B., a 27-year-old woman who reportedly maintained long-distance correspondence with the detained individual before being granted visitation rights. She is under custody for aiding and abetting illegal objects intended for another detainee and associating with terrorists for criminal purposes.
Furthermore, two other individuals were taken into custody on Friday, and their arrests are ongoing.
Discovery of Suspicious USB Drive
A trade union source informed AFP on Thursday that a USB connection was detected on Abdeslam’s computer, which he legally acquired to pursue courses with limited usage. This USB drive, allegedly used to transfer jihadist propaganda onto Abdeslam’s computer according to Le Parisien, was sought but not found.
Ongoing Threat Assessment
In an interview disseminated on Saturday, National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor Olivier Christen emphasized that the jihadist threat remains “the most significant in terms of volume and preparation level for potential attacks,” having escalated over the past three years.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Salah Abdeslam? Abdeslam is the sole surviving member of the command responsible for the 2015 Paris attacks.
- What is the current investigation about? The investigation revolves around an alleged terrorist plot linked to Salah Abdeslam, focusing on the illegal possession of a USB drive within prison walls.
- Who else has been detained? Besides Salah Abdeslam, his partner Maëva B. and two other individuals have been taken into custody.
- Why was the detention extended? The detention was prolonged due to serious risks of imminent terrorist action or international cooperation requirements.
- What is the nature of the jihadist threat? According to Olivier Christen, the jihadist threat is significant in volume and preparation level for potential attacks, having escalated over the past three years.
