France files charges against gunman’s brother

March 25, 2012 at 1:01 p.m.

by The Associated Press

Demonstrators hold a giant French flag as they attend a march in memory of the victims of Mohamed Merah, in Paris, Sunday, March 25, 2012. The Paris prosecutor's office opened a judicial inquiry into whether older brother of Merah, Abdelkader Merah, was complicit in preparing terrorist acts. And a special anti-terrorist judge was expected to file preliminary charges against him later Sunday.
Demonstrators hold a giant French flag as they attend a march in memory of the victims of Mohamed Merah, in Paris, Sunday, March 25, 2012. The Paris prosecutor's office opened a judicial inquiry into whether older brother of Merah, Abdelkader Merah, was complicit in preparing terrorist acts. And a special anti-terrorist judge was expected to file preliminary charges against him later Sunday.

PARIS — French prosecutors have filed preliminary murder and terrorism charges against the brother of a gunman who killed Jewish schoolchildren and paratroopers in attacks that stunned the country.

An official from the prosecutor's office says the preliminary charges were handed to Abdelkader Merah on Sunday. He is suspected of complicity to murders and thefts and involvement in a terrorist enterprise.

Preliminary charges under French law mean there is strong reason to suspect a crime was committed but allow magistrates more time to investigate.

Merah's younger brother Mohamed was shot dead by police after claiming responsibility for killing three Jewish schoolchildren, a rabbi and three paratroopers earlier this month.

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