Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Paris attacks: German arms dealer who 'may have sold Isis extremists guns' found as sixth suspect charged

Authorities in Belgium have charged a sixth suspect with terror offences in relation to the 13 November attacks

Lizzie Dearden
Friday 27 November 2015 13:15 EST
Raids have been carried out across Europe as fugitive Salah Abdeslam continues to evade police
Raids have been carried out across Europe as fugitive Salah Abdeslam continues to evade police (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Police in Germany believe they may have caught the man who sold Isis extremists the Kalashnikovs used to kill 130 people in Paris.

The investigation was continuing as authorities in neighbouring Belgium charged a sixth suspect in relation to the atrocity a fortnight ago.

The unidentified man stands accused of committing “terrorist attacks and taking part in the activities of a terrorist group”, the country’s federal prosecutor said today.

Video: Terror alert in Brussels lifted

He had been arrested in the Belgian capital on Thursday. Two other men, believed to be his father and brother, were detained in connected raids in the town of Verviers but have since been released.

Meanwhile, German police are investigating whether an arrested arms dealer may have sold four of the assault rifles used in the Paris attacks.

A statement from the Stuttgart public prosecutor said the unnamed 24-year-old man was a German national from Magstadt, in south-western Germany.

A spokesperson said the originally unrelated investigation started when the man was found to be converting legal starter pistols into live firearms and selling them on the internet.

“A search of his home on 23 November uncovered more firearms,” he added.

“Continuing investigations indicate there is evidence that the accused may have sold four assault rifles to a buyer in Paris in November 2015.

“Possible links to the attacks in Paris are being investigated.”

It came as a Belgian court ordered the continued detention Ali Oulkadi, 31, who admits driving Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam through Brussels after he fled France the morning after the attacks.

His lawyer, Olivier Martins, said his client did not know who he was going to pick up when another friend called in the favour and had no knowledge or involvement in the Isis plot.

Lawyer Olivier Martins talks to the press, during the appearance of suspect Ali O. at the council chamber of the courthouse in Brussels, on November 27, 2015.
Lawyer Olivier Martins talks to the press, during the appearance of suspect Ali O. at the council chamber of the courthouse in Brussels, on November 27, 2015. (AFP/Getty Images)

“You're not going to tell me that if you drive Salah Abdeslam a few kilometres through Brussels that you're part of a terrorist group,” he added.

Oulkadi and another man arrested on Monday will be held in custody for up to a month as investigations continue.

Abdeslam, the brother of suicide bomber Brahim Abdeslam, is still at large despite a series of police raids across Europe.

Belgian authorities have charged the two men who drove from Brussels to Paris to pick him up in the early hours of 14 November, as well as Abraimi Lazez, 39, who was detained after police found two handguns and traces of blood in his car.

Additional reporting by PA

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in