Brussels bombers' cousin charged as mastermind in 2016 Paris attacks

June 3 (UPI) -- A Belgian national was charged as the mastermind behind the November 2015 Paris bombings. The suspect, Yassine Atar, is a cousin to the two men who bombed Brussels in March 2016.

Investigators said Atar is charged with "terrorist assassinations and of participation as a leader in the activities of a terrorist groups", the BBC reported. Investigators said he was a leader in a series of coordinated attacks in Paris, including at the Bataclan concert hall, that left 130 dead. Some 90 people who were attending an Eagles of Death Metal concert at the concert hall died. Another 40 people died in coordinated attacks on a local stadium and restaurants.

Atar has been in prison since he was arrested five days after the March 22, 2016, attacks at a Brussels airport and subway station that left 32 people dead. His brother, Oussama, who is also suspected in the Brussels attack, remains at large. Atar is a cousin to brothers Ibrahim and Khalid Bakraoui, who were behind the Brussels bombings.