Belgium freezes assets of 15 people linked to terrorism

Belgium has frozen the assets of fifteen people allegedly linked to terrorism, including a Belgian man, Oussama Ata identified as being a possible organizer of the deadly attacks on Paris and Brussels.A royal decree announcing the freeze says the 15, including alleged organizer Oussama Atar, are suspected of committing or attempting to commit terrorist acts; to aid or participate in them.

The decision, which took effect yesterday, also imposes a ban on directly or indirectly providing funds or economic resources to



them.Justice Minister Koen Geens told lawmakers in Brussels that Belgium's terror prevention service has drawn up 27 names, most of them people suspected of traveling to Syria or Iraq to fight or train with extremists, to be targeted.

Justice and security officials confirmed yesterday that Atar's name appears in the investigation into the attacks, which killed a total of 162 people. Atar is suspected to be the real identity of Abu Ahmed, a pseudonym of the suspected attack coordinator. His whereabouts are unknown.