2 Halimi murder suspects in custody
Men believed to have played major roles in torture, killing of young French Jew turn themselves in to police in France
Two key suspects in the brutal slaying of Ilan Halimi in France, have turned themselves in to police, judicial officials said Tuesday. The men, whose names were not released, were fingered by other members of a gang accused in the kidnapping, torture and killing the young Jewish man earlier this year.
Halimi's murder revived concerns about anti-Semitism in France. One suspect turned himself in Monday to police in Bobigny, northeast of Paris, officials said. A second turned himself in directly to the criminal brigade in Paris. The two men are suspected, along with a third, of leading roles in the killing, officials said. The third man remained at large.
All were described as being close to the main suspect, Youssouf Fofana. Other gang members have told investigators that Fofana was responsible, authorities said. Fofana, who is under investigation in the killing, acknowledged that he led the gang suspected in the case, but gave no explanation for the man's death and said he had no anti-Semitic motives.
Authorities found 23-year-old Halimi naked, handcuffed and covered with burn marks near railroad tracks in the Essonne region south of Paris on February 13. He died on the way to the hospital after being held captive for more than three weeks.
Critics accused police of initially ignoring anti-Semitic motives in the crime, which caught the attention of senior government officials and prompted fear of renewed anti-Semitism in France.
French police have arrested 18 people in the investigation, including Fofana.
