Sequence of Events and Discovery

On March 15, 2016, Belgian authorities conducted a raid at an apartment in the Forest district of Brussels. The operation began as part of an ongoing investigation related to the November 2015 Paris attacks. Initial surveillance and forensic efforts had narrowed their search to the location on Rue du Dries.
Inside the apartment, police found fingerprints and DNA samples. Among the material collected, one particular DNA match stood out: it belonged to Saleh Abdeslam, a primary suspect connected to the Paris attacks.

Law Enforcement Actions and Evidence

Forensic investigators confirmed that the DNA evidence recovered from a drinking glass and other personal effects at the Forest apartment matched Abdeslam’s profile. This match significantly narrowed the search radius and intensified operations.
Belgian police had already been coordinating with French authorities, sharing intelligence and updates on suspect movement. Following confirmation of the DNA match, the focus shifted toward possible nearby locations where Abdeslam could be hiding.
Additional fingerprint analysis also indicated that Abdeslam had spent time in the apartment recently, contradicting earlier assumptions that he had fled Belgium.

Background on Abdeslam and the Paris Attacks

Saleh Abdeslam, a French citizen with Moroccan roots, was named among the key suspects in the November 13, 2015, attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. While his brother Brahim detonated a suicide vest, Saleh reportedly abandoned his own explosive device and fled the scene.
Following the attacks, Abdeslam evaded capture for over four months. Authorities considered him one of the most wanted individuals in Europe during that period.
Intelligence sources believed he received logistical support from associates across Belgium, particularly in Brussels neighborhoods such as Molenbeek and Forest.

Details from the Brussels Operation

On March 18, 2016, authorities conducted a follow-up raid based on leads

 developed from the Forest apartment. They targeted a residence in the Molenbeek district, where Abdeslam was believed to be hiding.

Police surrounded the building and ordered occupants to surrender. Abdeslam reportedly attempted to escape but was shot in the leg during the operation and taken into custody.

Monir Ahmed Alaaj, also going by the name Amine Choukri, was taken into custody during the same police operation. Both men were transported to a secure medical facility under heavy guard.

Legal and Security Follow-Up

Following his arrest, Abdeslam faced extradition to France, where he would stand trial on charges related to terrorism and murder. Belgian officials confirmed that the arrest was a critical development in the broader investigation.

Security measures across Brussels and Paris were temporarily elevated after the capture.
Officials emphasized that despite the high-profile arrest, several suspects were still being sought.

Investigations continued into the logistics of how Abdeslam avoided detection for months, and whether he had support networks still active in the region.