Authorities release suspect in Nov 13 Paris attacks

BRUSSELS – Authorities have released a suspect in the Nov. 13 Paris attacks who is charged with terrorism offences and accused of having links to suspects in the case.

The federal prosecutor’s office announced Thursday that Zakaria J, 29, was let go under strict conditions.

Zakaria J, a Belgian national, was one of two people picked up Jan. 20 during police raids on the Brussels neighbourhood of Molenbeek, where several extremists have lived or stayed. He was charged with terrorist murder and participation in a terrorist group, charges he still faces.

Separately, authorities held a reconstruction of some events preceding the March 22 attacks in Brussels which killed 32 people. No incidents were reported during the exercise in the neighbourhood from where three men left by taxi to Brussels airport where 16 people died in twin suicide explosions.