Belgian prosecutors: Detention extended for Abrini, 5 others

A police officer patrols outside the federal court building in Brussels on Thursday, April 14, 2016. Suspects from the Brussels and Paris attacks appeared in court Thursday for a court hearing to decide whether or not to extend their detention. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo) (The Associated Press)

Belgian prosecutors say a judge has ordered Mohamed Abrini and five others arrested in connection with the attacks in Paris and Brussels to be held for another month.

Abrini has admitted being the "man in the hat" seen leaving Brussels Airport the morning two suicide bombers detonated explosives-laden suitcases there, killing 16.

Sixteen other people died that morning when another bomber blew himself up on a Brussels subway train.

France's BFM television reported Abrini claimed to investigators he "wouldn't hurt a fly."

Abrini also had close ties to the attackers who killed 130 victims on Nov. 13 in Paris and is believed to have traveled to Syria and to have met with suspected extremists in England.

Belgian and French authorities have detained dozens of suspect in their investigations.