Toulouse gunman’s brother to be questioned in ParisMarch 24, 2012 - 14:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The older brother of the Toulouse gunman Mohamed Merah was transferred to Paris along with his girlfriend on Saturday, March 24, for questioning by anti-terrorist police, a source close to the investigation said, AFP reported. Several police vans were seeing leaving the central police station in Toulouse shortly after 8:00 am. Abdelkader Merah and his girlfriend were taken into custody after his brother was killed trying to shoot his way out of an apartment following a 32-hour police siege. The 23-year-old had murdered three Jewish children, a trainee rabbi and three soldiers in three separate gun attacks between March 11 and March 19 in this southwestern French city, shocking France in the build-up to a presidential election. Police and prosecutors have said that 29-year-old Abdelkader Merah is a radical Islamist and that traces of what could be an explosive material had been found in his car. He and his girlfriend will be questioned at the anti-terrorist police headquarters in the Paris suburb of Levallois-Perret. Under French law, they could be held until Sunday morning, after which they would have to be taken before a judge in the French capital. Mohamed Merah was alone when he carried out the killings but there has been speculation as to whether he had accomplices or logistical help. Investigators said he apparently lived beyond his limited means. Abdelkader has told police he knew nothing of his younger brother's criminal intentions. Their mother was taken into custody on Friday and was expected to be released early Saturday. 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 | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |