Many of the attackers in that cell were known to the French or Belgian authorities; some had even been under surveillance. Under the state of emergency, the government has taken steps to increase the powers of police and intelligence services. Mr. Attou and another man picked up Mr. Abdeslam in Paris on the night of the attacks and drove him back to Belgium. As a result, Mr. Abaaoud, who had been tipped off about the Belgian operation, got away, Mr. Pietrasanta said. The French police stopped the car near the Belgian border the next morning, but waved it through.

Source: New York Times July 05, 2016 12:04 UTC