French lawyer: Paris attacks suspect 'ready to collaborate'

FILE - This Wednesday April 13, 2016 file image taken from video of of Salah Abdeslam, left, the fugitive from the Nov. 13 Paris attacks whose capture appears to have precipitated the March 22 bombing in Brussels. Belgian prosecutors confirmed Wednesday April 27, 2016 that Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was handed over to French authorities. (TVbrussels via AP) BELGIUM OUT (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Friday March 18, 2016 file framegrab taken from VTM, Salah Abdeslam, centre, is arrested by police and bundled into a police vehicle during a raid in the Molenbeek neighborhood of Brussels, Belgium. Belgian prosecutors confirmed Wednesday April 27, 2016 that Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was handed over to French authorities. (VTM via AP) BELGIUM OUT (The Associated Press)

A police officer guards the entrance of the judicial Police headquarters, part of the Palace of Justice complex, in Paris, France, Wednesday, April 27, 2016. The French prosecutor's office said that key Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam was transferred to France Wednesday morning and was to go before investigating judges for eventual charges. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (The Associated Press)

A French lawyer says he will defend key Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam once he's transferred from Belgium to France, and described him as a young man "falling apart" and ready to cooperate.

Frank Berton told the iTele TV channel on Wednesday that Abdeslam — the only survivor in the Nov. 13 Paris bloodbath that killed 130 people — won't be transferred to France before mid-May.

Abdeslam, whose brother blew himself up in the attacks, is now in a Belgian prison and is charged with attempted murder over a March 15 shootout with police in Brussels. He was arrested three days later.

Belgian police have been questioning him about potential links to the three suicide bombers who attacked the Brussels Airport and subway on March 22, killing 32.