Terror alert raised in Brussels

Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level in the capital Brussels on Saturday.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said the decision to raise the terror threat level in the capital Brussels to the highest possible mark was linked to a threat of imminent attacks.

“Following our latest evaluation… the centre has raised its terror alert to level 4, signifying a very serious threat, for the Brussels region.”

Citizens were urged to avoid crowded areas such as concerts and transport hubs in Belgium’s capital, which is also home to the European Union and NATO headquarters.

This was in addition to Hamza Attou and Mohammed Amri, who were charged earlier this week with aiding fugitive Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam on the night of the attacks.

Brussels resident Abdeslam, whose brother Brahim blew himself up at a Paris bar, is believed to be in Belgium and is the subject of a huge manhunt.

The fugitive is closely linked with the alleged Paris attack ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who was killed in a police raid on Wednesday.

Both grew up in the poor Molenbeek district of Brussels, described as an extremist hotbed, before going to join the Islamic State group in Syria.

In Paris, police have extended a ban on demonstrations and other gatherings in the region through Nov. 30, with the city and country still on high alert after deadly attacks.

The French capital’s police department issued a statement Saturday saying the ban is being extended because of “the current context,” including a nationwide state of emergency that’s been extended for three months.

The department notes extra security concerns around the arrival of more than 100 heads of state for the U.N. climate conference that starts in a week.

A march by environmental groups scheduled for November 29th has been cancelled.

Police are requiring all major concert venues to install special security measures.