<p>A Brussels-based terror cell intended to launch a fresh strike in France, but attacked in the Belgian capital instead after being "surprised" by a quick-moving investigation, Belgian prosecutors said today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The cell, which was directly involved in the November attacks on Paris which killed 130 people, had initially planned to stage a second deadly strike in France, but they changed their plans as investigators closed in.<br /><br />Instead, they staged coordinated attacks on Belgium's airport and the metro system, killing 32 last month.<br /><br />"Numerous elements in the investigation have shown that the terrorist group initially had the intention to strike in France again," a statement from the federal prosecutor's office said.<br /><br />"Surprised by the speed of the progress in the ongoing investigation, they urgently took the decision to strike in Brussels."<br /><br />The prosecutor also said that Mohamed Abrini, the so- called "man in a hat" seen in CCTV footage from Brussels airport, who fled but was arrested on Friday, had been charged with "terrorist murders" over the Belgian bloodshed.<br /><br />"The investigating judge specialised in terrorism cases has put Mohamed Abrini in detention in connection with the investigation into the Brussels and Zaventem (airport) attacks," a statement said.<br /><br />"He is charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist group, terrorist murders and attempts to commit terrorist murders."</p>
<p>A Brussels-based terror cell intended to launch a fresh strike in France, but attacked in the Belgian capital instead after being "surprised" by a quick-moving investigation, Belgian prosecutors said today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The cell, which was directly involved in the November attacks on Paris which killed 130 people, had initially planned to stage a second deadly strike in France, but they changed their plans as investigators closed in.<br /><br />Instead, they staged coordinated attacks on Belgium's airport and the metro system, killing 32 last month.<br /><br />"Numerous elements in the investigation have shown that the terrorist group initially had the intention to strike in France again," a statement from the federal prosecutor's office said.<br /><br />"Surprised by the speed of the progress in the ongoing investigation, they urgently took the decision to strike in Brussels."<br /><br />The prosecutor also said that Mohamed Abrini, the so- called "man in a hat" seen in CCTV footage from Brussels airport, who fled but was arrested on Friday, had been charged with "terrorist murders" over the Belgian bloodshed.<br /><br />"The investigating judge specialised in terrorism cases has put Mohamed Abrini in detention in connection with the investigation into the Brussels and Zaventem (airport) attacks," a statement said.<br /><br />"He is charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist group, terrorist murders and attempts to commit terrorist murders."</p>