Real American heroes — National Post View

Investigators made the discovery after analysing a mobile phone found on the suspect.

Two others will also receive the Legion d’Honneur at a later date – a French citizen who also tackled the man in the incident Friday but wishes to remain anonymous and a French-American named by Hollande as Mark Moogalian, 51.

The armed man accused of attacking an Amsterdam-to-Paris train last week is expected to face charges on Tuesday.

El-Khazzani had travelled through several European countries and been repeatedly incarcerated in Spain, Mr Molins said. Risacher told France’s Europe 1 radio her husband was quickly suspicious of the suspect because he entered the toilet with his suitcase and stayed inside a long time.

French surveillance helped authorities spot the suspect on a flight May 10 from Berlin to Istanbul, then on a return flight from Antakya, Turkey, to Tirana, Albania, via Istanbul, Molins said.

“However, Khazzani denies ever being in Turkey”, said Molins.

He may also have tried to go to Syria, officials said.

“The aggression that took place on Friday… which could have degenerated into a monstrous carnage…is fresh proof that we must prepare for other attacks and therefore protect ourselves”, said Hollande.

France has seen multiple attacks carried out in the name of extremist radical Islam in recent months, including in January when three gunmen killed 17 people in and around Paris, and a violent beheading in June.

Suspected train terrorist Ayoub el-Khazzani was led into a Paris court Tuesday barefoot, blindfolded and wearing hospital scrubs, as news emerged he had looked at a jihadist website before boarding an Amsterdam-to-Paris train.

Police in Belgium have raided two homes in Brussels and seized several objects as part of the investigation.

A statement from the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office said no-one had been detained but “some objects” had been seized for further examination. The statement did not elaborate.

Speaking after Khazzani was charged following four days of questioning, Molins said the gunman had bought a first class ticket worth 149 euros ($237), declining to take an earlier train despite it being cheaper.

Stone, who was injured in the struggle but still tended to the man who had been shot, has been nominated for the Airman’s Medal, the US Air Force’s top non-combat award for bravery. Stone, whose thumb was severely cut by the gunman, still had his left arm in a sling as well as a bruised eye. It’s not clear when Stone will be transferred back to the U.S. “The Oregon National Guard is very proud of Specialist Skarlatos”, said Brig. According to senior U.S. Army leaders, Skarlatos is going to be awarded with the “Soldiers Medal”, the highest award in the U.S. Army for acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy.

John Dickson, who arrived on the same plane as Sadler, called him a good friend from the three years they have spent together at Sacramento State University.