French police suspect cyclist as main target in Alps massacre

A claim over the cyclist’s part in the Alps shootings, which saw a British family murdered in France, sparks controversy...

16:41 17 September 2012

The French cyclist, 45-year-old Sylvain Mollier, who was killed alongside three victims in the French Alps shootings, has become part of discussions between French and British police according to recent reports.

 

The cyclist was thought to have been killed after witnessing the massacre of British engineer Saad al-Hilli, 50, his wife, Iqbal, 47, and mother-in-law, Suhaila Al-Allaf, 74. However, French leader of the inquiry, Lt. Colonel Benedict Vinnemann, has claimed police will consider whether the cyclist was the hit-man’s main target.

 

Mr. Mollier, who lived close to the crime scene and was on paternity leave at the time of the incidednt according to the Mail Online, was buried Sunday evening. It is understood he worked in the nuclear industry.

 

The new theory is not conclusive as the investigation is still on-going, but the development by Annecy authorities could allegedly shift attention towards Britain.

 

Former British Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Brian Paddick, expressed there has to be clear evidence to support French viewpoint, saying it was un-ideal to shift attention to UK soil.

 

“It smacked to me of more of a political decision than a professional police one,” he told The Telegraph.

 

It is understood that French police are looking at three leads with regards to the case, including a family feud, Mr. Al-Hilli’s job and his Iraqi background.

 

Reportedly the cyclist was hit by five bullets with two to the head, and the weapon is believed to be a Luger P08 that was issued to Swiss army members and fires distinctive 7.65mm calibre bullets.

 

Two girls survived the ordeal – Mr. Al-Hilli’s daughters Zeena, four, who was found hiding and Zainab, seven, who was injured in the course of the tragic event.