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Posted: 17-11-2012 09:15 Post subject:

Long report here on the investigation:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20373970

Basically, still no progress towards finding a motive, though more details are given about the gun used.

"The al-Hilli's loved Annecy and it is the last kind of place you would expect to encounter the deranged killer Mr Maillaud describes.
But two months on perhaps there is no other explanation. Maybe there was no motive.
Maybe it was a savage, but entirely random act of murder."

Posted: 08-02-2013 01:45 Post subject:

Man denies fraud charge over Saad al-Hilli accounts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21372738

Mr al-Hilli was shot dead along with his wife, mother-in-law and a cyclist in the French Alps

A man has denied trying to defraud the bank accounts of an engineer murdered in the French Alps.

Abiodun David John, 33, from Salford, is on trial at Guilford Crown Court charged with eight counts of fraud, four of which relate to Saad al-Hilli.

The 50-year-old, from Claygate, was shot dead with his wife, mother-in-law and a cyclist on 5 September.

Mr John was remanded in custody with a trial expected in March or April.

It is alleged he tried to open an Amazon account in the name of Mr al-Hilli and sought to use the dead man's HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland cards.

In addition he is charged with four offences of fraud involving the use of the names of three other individuals.

Surrey Police said the fraud charges are not linked to the investigation into the murder of the Iraqi-born engineer.

Mr John was told his trial will take place in March or April.

Posted: 31-03-2013 07:01 Post subject:

Brother of British engineer murdered in Alps questioned by French police
The brother of a British engineer murdered in the Alps alongside two members of his family has been questioned at length by French police for the first time, it emerged on Saturday.
By Peter Allen, in Paris and Patrick Sawer
12:28PM GMT 30 Mar 2013

Zaid-Al Hilli, 53, was interviewed by detectives on Friday at a location close to his home in Chessington, Surrey.
French detectives have now had the first opportunity to put to him a number of questions regarding numerous aspects of the quadruple murder at a beauty spot close to Lake Annecy, in eastern France.

The significant development came almost seven months to the day since Zaid’s 50-year-old brother, Saad Al-Hilli, was killed alongside his wife Ikbal, 47, and Mrs Al-Hilli’s mother, Suhalia, 74, in their family’s BMW.

Sylvain Mollier, a 45-year-old French cyclist also died in the shooting on September 5, which is believed to have been carried out by at least one gunman.

Zaid is alleged to have been involved in a dispute with his brother over a family inheritance.

In turn he has insisted that he is completely innocent of any wrong-doing, and said he had a good relationship with his brother.
Their father, Kadhim Al-Hilli, died in Spain two years ago, leaving a number of properties and cash, including the equivalent of some £800,000, in a bank account in Geneva, which is less than an hour’s driver from the murder scene.

Saad put a legal block on his father’s will, effectively preventing Zaid from inheriting his share until ‘unknown’ disputes had been resolved, according to published legal documents.

The French detectives wanted to question Zaid over claims that he tried to use an expired credit card to withdrew cash from the Geneva account shortly before the killings.
Eric Maillaud, the Annecy prosecutor who is leading the investigation, has made no secret of his frustration at not being able to interview Zaid at length, but that situation changed when officers working directly to him arrived in the UK last week.

According to a French police source, Zaid was asked about his ‘whereabouts on the day of the tragedy.’ He also volunteered information about the will, and about Saad’s work as satellite technology engineer.
Surrey police, who have to date released little information about the enquiry, confirmed that Zaid had been contacted.
But they refused to provide any details about last week’s questioning of Zaid, which was today being widely reported in the French media.

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “We have regular contact with him as the next of kin of one of the victims. There is nothing more than that. He has never been arrested or considered a suspect.”

During the investigation it emerged that Saad kept a Taser stun gun protection weapon at his home in Claygate, Surrey, and had also changed the locks of the 1 million pounds property.

Saad’s seven-year-old daughter, Zainab, suffered head injuries after being pistol whipped in the attack and was also shot in the shoulder.
Her sister, Zeena, escaped unscathed after hiding under her mother’s skirt in the back of the family BMW.
Both little girls are now in the care of social services, with surviving members of the Al-Hilli family, including Zaid, allowed limited access to them.

There have been no arrests since the murders happened, with Mr Maillaud admitting that the baffling case ‘may never be solved’.
He recently ordered a visit by investigators to Iraq, which is where the Al-Hillis originally came from, but this has been delayed because of security worries.

Zaid Al-Hilli could not be reached for comment.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9962490/Brother-of-British-engineer-murdered-in-Alps-questioned-by-French-police.html

Nothing really new, then.

Posted: 01-04-2013 08:00 Post subject:

But this is:

Armed guard on Alp victim's brother, Zaid-Al Hilli
Police fear for the safety of the brother of a British engineer murdered in the French Alps alongside two members of his family and have installed a panic alarm in his home that triggers an armed response.
By Andrew Hough
10:23PM BST 31 Mar 2013

Security has been stepped up at the home of Zaid-Al Hilli, 53, in the wake of the quadruple murder at a beauty spot close to Lake Annecy, in eastern France, last year, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

It emerged on Sunday that Zaid, who is alleged to have been involved in a dispute with his brother over a family inheritance, has been questioned by French police at his home in Chessington, Surrey, for the first time.
Shortly after this newspaper knocked on his front door to ask him about the development, several Metropolitan Police units, containing heavily armed officers, swooped on the address, accompanied by colleagues from Surrey Police.
A reporter and a photographer were spoken to by police before being told “no further action” would be taken.

It is believed that Zaid, who has insisted he is completely innocent of any wrong-doing and had a good relationship with his brother, has told British police officers he is fearful for his safety and that he may be a target for his brother's killer.

Details of the escalation in his security arrangements come after his 50 year-old Iraqi-born brother Saad Al-Hilli was killed in a cold blooded shooting in the family’s BMW seven months ago.
The murder, which remains unsolved, also claimed the life of the Saad’s wife Ikbal, 47, Mrs Al-Hilli’s mother Suhalia, 74 and Sylvian Mollier, a 45 year-old French cyclist.

The attack, on Sept 5, also saw Saad's seven-year-old daughter, Zainab, badly injured, while her four-year-old sister Zeena, was left deeply traumatised.
Both little girls are now in the care of social services, with surviving members of the Al-Hilli family, including Zaid, allowed limited access to them.

French police sources have said that Zaid was asked about his “whereabouts on the day of the tragedy”. He also volunteered information about a possibly disputed will and about Saad’s work as satellite technology engineer.

Eric Maillaud, the Annecy prosecutor who is leading the investigation, has made no secret of his frustration at not being able to interview Zaid at length.
No one has been arrested over the killings, with Mr Maillaud admitting the baffling case “may never be solved”.

...

Tonight a Surrey Police spokesman declined to say whether officers held fears that Zaid was a specific target.
She added in a statement: "Around 1pm today two units from Surrey Police attended an address in Chessington alongside officers from the Metropolitan Police Service following a report of a disturbance at the location.
"Two men were spoken to but no offences were disclosed and no arrests were made."

Police sources last night said there was no "special operational cost" incurred as they are considered paid officers.

Last night a Met Police spokesman said: "At approximately 1.10pm today, police were called to attend an address in Chessington. Officers attended the address and two men were spoken to.
"There were no offences disclosed, or apparent, and no one was arrested. There was no further action by police." He declined to comment further.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9964128/Armed-guard-on-Alp-victims-brother-Zaid-Al-Hilli.html

Posted: 30-04-2013 07:48 Post subject:

French Alps shooting: UK vehicle appeal

An appeal to help trace a UK-registered vehicle seen near the spot where four people were murdered in the French Alps has been issued by Surrey Police.
Saad al-Hilli and his wife Iqbal from Claygate, Surrey, her mother Suhaila al-Allaf and French cyclist Sylvain Mollier were shot on 5 September.
The al-Hilli's daughters Zeinab and Zeena survived.

Police want to speak to the owner of a right-hand drive 4x4, possibly a grey or black BMW X5.
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said there was a "strong possibility" it was a British-registered vehicle.
The 4x4 was being driven on the Combre d'Ire Road in Chevaline, near Annecy, about 20 minutes before the shooting, the force said.

Surrey Police said the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team had been working closely with the French authorities on "a number of lines of inquiry" in the UK.
The appeal to trace the vehicle was broadcast on the BBC One's Crimewatch programme earlier.

The family were on a camping holiday on the shores of Lake Annecy when they were attacked.
Nobody has been held responsible for the deaths.

Det Sup Nick May said: "Were you on holiday in the French Alps at the time? Did you visit the Annecy area?
"I am particularly keen to speak to any owner of such a vehicle who visited the towns of Doussard or Chevaline on the afternoon of 5 September as they may be able to provide vital information to assist with this ongoing joint investigation.
"This location is very popular and there may have been a number of tourists staying in the local area or travelling through at that time of year.
"The timing of this sighting is clearly significant and it is important that we trace this vehicle if only to eliminate it from our inquiries."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-22345538

Posted: 24-06-2013 13:38 Post subject:

French Alps murders: Brother arrested over Al-Hilli killings

A 54-year-old man has been arrested in Surrey in connection with the murders of four people in the French Alps, including his brother.
Saad al-Hilli and his wife Iqbal, from Claygate, Surrey, her mother Suhaila al-Allaf and French cyclist Sylvain Mollier were shot on 5 September.
The family were on holiday by Lake Annecy when they were attacked.

Zaid al-Hilli, Saad's brother, was arrested in at an address in Chessington, Surrey.
He had previously denied there was any feud between him and his brother.
Annecy prosecutor Eric Maillaud told news agency AFP: "We felt there were enough reasons to take him into custody.
"We need to ask him questions about his schedule, his relationship with his brother and the family inheritance."

About 100 British and French police officers are investigating the deaths.
The family's home in Claygate was searched by French investigators after the shootings.

Last month, Surrey Police issued an appeal to help trace a vehicle, thought to be a UK-registered right-hand-drive 4x4, which was seen near the crime scene.
The car was being driven on the Combre d'Ire Road in Chevaline, near Annecy, about 20 minutes before the shooting, the force said.

Surrey Police also said at the time that the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team had been working closely with the French authorities on "a number of lines of inquiry" in the UK.

Mr and Mrs al-Hilli's daughters survived the shooting.
Four-year-old Zeena was discovered under her mother's body inside the family car, eight hours after the shooting.
Her seven-year-old sister Zainab was found with serious head injuries after being shot and beaten.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23031076

Posted: 06-09-2013 08:25 Post subject:

British and French police due to give Alps family murder update

British police have travelled to France for the first anniversary of the murder of three members of a British family.
They are due to give a joint news conference with French police on the investigation into the murders, which remain unsolved.

Saad al-Hilli and his wife Iqbal, from Claygate, her mother Suhaila al-Allaf and French cyclist Sylvain Mollier were shot on 5 September 2012.
The family were on holiday by Lake Annecy when they were attacked.
The bodies of the four victims were found on a remote forest road in Chevaline.
Mr and Mrs al-Hilli's daughters survived the shooting.

Mr al-Hilli's brother Zaid, who is from Chessington, Surrey, is due to answer police bail next month after he was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder amid claims he doctored documents to ensure he inherited the family estate.
He has always denied any involvement in the killings.

Since the inquiry started British police have taken 60 statements, seized 5,500 documents and 1,600 exhibits, Surrey Police said, travelling to France several times in the course of their investigation.

Detective superintendent Nick May said: "The tragic events of a year ago left four people dead in appalling circumstances.
"We remain committed to finding answers to what happened that day on behalf of their families, particularly for the two young girls who lost their parents. This remains a complex inquiry and we continue to have a team of officers dedicated to supporting the investigation.
"We have established a good working relationship with our French colleagues and are continuing to pursue a number of lines of inquiry in the UK."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23982056