Court hearing for Paris attacks suspect starts amid tight security

Abdeslam was brought to the Palace of Justice in the centre of the French capital amid tight security on Friday morning. The hearing, which is not open to the public, could last all day.

France's inquisitorial justice system means judges are responsible for investigating the case and questioning suspects ahead of any trial.

Salah Abdeslam is thought to have played a key role in planning the Paris attacks carried out on 13 November, which claimed 130 lives, and transporting the attackers.

Arrested in Brussels in March after months on the run, Abdeslam was transferred to French custody last month. His arrest took place just four days before the Brussels bombings and he has been linked to several of the suspects believed to have carried out those attacks.

He is being held in the high-security Fleury-Merogis jail just outside Paris.

Belgian authorities have been accused of failing to establish links between him and his brother, Brahim Abdeslam, to ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud.

Brahim Abdeslam blew himself up on 13 November while Abaaoud was killed during a police raid in Paris days afterwards.

Belgian authorities have already admitted to key blunders in the months leading up to the Paris and Brussels attacks.