Paris attacks suspect detained in southern Turkey

A Belgian citizen of Moroccan origin suspected of playing a role in the Paris attacks has been arrested in the southern Turkish city of Antalya, two Turkish officials told Al Jazeera. The detained suspect was being questioned at the prosecutor’s office on Saturday. No other details surrounding the arrest could be divulged at this time because it could impede the capture of other potential suspects, a police official said. “There is a confidentiality order on the issue as the investigation is going on in collaboration with other European governments,” the official told Al Jazeera. “The Paris attacks happened and this incident is progressing in various directions… The authorities are collecting evidence,” he added. Another Turkish official identified the suspect as Ahmet Dahmani and also confirmed his Belgian nationality. State media said the suspect was travelling with two Syrian citizens when detained. The development comes at a time of heightened security in Europe after the attacks in Paris on November 13 that killed 130 people. Belgium increased its security alert in the capital Brussels to its highest level on Saturday, warning of a “serious and imminent” threat. Turkey has stepped up efforts to identify and capture people with links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in recent months.