Suspected serial killers arrested in France April 16, 2012 - 15:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French police are holding two suspects over four similar murders committed in a southern suburb of Paris, believed to be the work of a serial killer, BBC News reported. The first victim was killed in November and the fourth - a 48-year-old mother - was shot dead on 5 April. Prosecutors say the same semi-automatic gun was used in all four attacks in the Essonne district, but police have not yet found it. A motorbike has been seized, similar to one described by witnesses. One of the suspects, aged 33, was detained as he left his parents' home in the Paris suburb of Ris-Orangis. Police have ruled out a connection with last month's killings around Toulouse, but no motive for the latest shootings has been determined. In Toulouse a self-professed Islamist militant, Mohamed Merah, was shot dead by police, following attacks in which he murdered seven people, including three children. In the Essonne killings the gunman fled on a motorbike each time, like in the Merah case. The seized motorbike was found less than a kilometre from the latest murder scene in Essonne, Le Parisien news website reports. Extensive searches were carried out after the first arrest on Saturday. The fourth victim was a widow and mother of Algerian origin, shot in the foyer of her apartment block in the Grande-Borne area of Grigny, which is adjacent to Ris-Orangis. The killing followed three others. A man turned himself in for the first killing, but then retracted his confession and the other killings took place while he was in custody.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Pasadena to host Armenian Genocide commemoration event  The Pasadena Armenian Coalition will host its community-wide Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event.Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party.Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims.Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement. |
