10/09/2012

Bomb Squad Investigate House Of French Alps Shootings

The Surrey home of the family shot and killed in the French Alps last week has been examined by Army bomb disposal experts. In an operation that saw neighbours being evacuated.

It is understood that items in a garden shed were examined but police have since said that they were not "hazardous".

Saad al-Hilli was shot along with his wife, his mother-in-law, his seven-year-old daughter and a passing local cyclist.

French police have now confirmed the death of Mr al-Hilli's 74-year old mother-in-law, but have not named her.

The al-Hillis' eldest daughter Zainab, seriously injured in the shooting, has been brought out of a coma.

Her four-year-old sister, Zeena, found hiding beneath the body of her mother some 8 hours after the attack, has now returned to the UK.

French and British investigators, including Surrey Police firearms officers, started examining the Claygate home of Mr al-Hilli, 50, on Saturday as part of an attempt to establish a motive for the murders which took place during the family's camping holiday.

An extended cordon, put up around the property while the explosives experts were there, has since been relaxed and residents have returned to their homes.

Surrey Police said: "The items were found... when the search of the property was extended from the main building to outbuildings in the garden. A bomb disposal unit was called to the scene to carry out an assessment as a precautionary measure."

A cordon around the house and gardens will remain in place as the search of the property continues.

(H)


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