Brussels attacks: Who were Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui?

Mar 23, 2016 - 13:59
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Brussels attacks: Who were Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui?
Brussels attacks: Who were Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui?

A Belgian federal prosecutor on Wednesday said two brothers, Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui, were suicide bombers involved in Tuesday's deadly terror attacks in Brussels, The Associated Press reports.

Here's what we know about them:

1. Authorities say the brothers blew themselves up during Tuesday's attacks on the Brussels Airport and a subway station, Federal Prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw said Wednesday. According to the Washington Post, one brother blew himself up at an airport departures hall and the other on a Metro train. 


Prosecutor:
Khalid El Bakraoui (left) was #Brussels metro bomber
Brahim El Bakraoui (right) was an airport bomber pic.twitter.com/Y2LL5C2Nm8 — CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) March 23, 2016


2. Investigators reportedly found Ibrahim El Bakraoui's will on a computer in a trash can on the street. They also found a note saying Ibrahim felt unsafe and worried he would go to prison, according to the AP.

3. Although both brothers had criminal records, neither had been linked to terrorism before the Brussels attacks. Ibrahim, 29, reportedly received a nine-year prison sentence in 2010. He allegedly shot at police after an attempted robbery, The New York Times reports. The next year, Khalid, 27, reportedly received a five-year prison sentence for carjacking attempts. He also was arrested for having Kalashnikovs, NBC News reports.

4. Khalid El Bakraoui reportedly rented an apartment that was raided last week in the search for Salah Abdeslam, a suspect in the Paris attacks.CBS News reports that Khalid used a fake identity to rent the home.

5. Van Leeuw said several other suspects were still at large. Belgian media identified one suspect as Najim Laachraoui, who is believed to have made the bombs used in the Brussels and Paris terror attacks, according to CBS News.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.