French investigators quiz 'dumbfounded' gunman

Paris

 The 25-year-old Moroccan national has denied that he intended to carry out a terror attack, claiming he only planned to rob the passengers on the train. 

 The heavily-armed alleged attacker, Ayoub El Khazzani, is said to be "dumbfounded" by accusations he was intending to carry out a terror attack despite being known to intelligence services in several countries for extremist links.

 "He is dumbfounded that his act is being linked to terrorism," David told BFM-TV, adding that the suspect who is believed to have lived in Belgium describes himself as homeless.

 "He says that by chance he found a suitcase with a weapon, with a telephone, hidden away," said David.

 "He said he found it in the park which is just next to the Midi Station in Brussels, where he often sleeps with other homeless people.

 "He says that the Kalashnikov didn't work and he was brought under control immediately without a single shot being fired."

 The lawyer is no longer representing Khazzani as he has been transferred to a police station near Paris for questioning.

 Under French law, suspects in terrorism-related investigations can be questioned for up to 96 hours, meaning Khazzani could be held until Tuesday evening.