Relatives of Salah Abdeslam were taken into custody as they arrived at the visiting room of Vendin-le-Vieil prison in Pas-de-Calais, where he is being held. These arrests were made as part of a counter-terrorism investigation into the possible illegal delivery of items to a prisoner convicted of terrorism.
The mother and sister targeted by the investigation
Salah Abdeslam's mother and sister are reportedly among those arrested. It is also reported that they were arrested along with three other family members, including a minor, before entering the prison. However, other accounts suggest a smaller number of arrests, with only two. The exact number of people involved has yet to be officially confirmed.
At this stage, the justice system is seeking to determine whether a prohibited item was to be given to the detainee during the visit. The investigation will have to establish whether there was an attempt at illegal delivery and, if so, who initiated it.
A still very sensitive issue
Salah Abdeslam is the only surviving member of the commando unit responsible for the November 13, 2015 attacks in Paris and Saint-Denis. Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, he is held under extremely strict security. Any suspicion of receiving unauthorized items therefore triggers an immediate legal response.
