Toulouse gunman's relatives in shock
- 12 years ago
Relatives of Mohamed Merah, the gunman from Toulouse who killed seven people in France this month, live in the dusty hamlet of Bezaz in Algeria.
Merah's parents were born in Algeria, and he would travel to the country for visits.
His close relatives say they are shocked at what took place.
His uncle Abdelkader Merah, says he is struggling to understand what pushed the 24-year-old to kill.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDELKADER MERAH, UNCLE OF TOULOUSE GUNMAN MOHAMED MERAH, SAYING:
"I don't understand anything in this affair. It's a big mistake. This boy completely changed after being put in prison. He was brainwashed there. His mind was affected by his time in jail, we don't understand what happened."
Mohamed Merah was killed by police after a 30-hour standoff last Thursday. He had confessed to the killing of three soldiers, and days later, Jewish school children and a rabbi.
Some cousins are doubtful over what the French police has said about Merah, especially about his links to Al Qaeda.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MERAH FETAH, COUSIN OF TOULOUSE GUNMAN MOHAMED MERAH, SAYING:
"Everything they say about Mohamed Merah is rubbish. He is just 23. How could he go to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's impossible."
Relatives are also calling for Merah to be buried in Algeria, in the same cemetery where other family members were laid to rest.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters
Merah's parents were born in Algeria, and he would travel to the country for visits.
His close relatives say they are shocked at what took place.
His uncle Abdelkader Merah, says he is struggling to understand what pushed the 24-year-old to kill.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDELKADER MERAH, UNCLE OF TOULOUSE GUNMAN MOHAMED MERAH, SAYING:
"I don't understand anything in this affair. It's a big mistake. This boy completely changed after being put in prison. He was brainwashed there. His mind was affected by his time in jail, we don't understand what happened."
Mohamed Merah was killed by police after a 30-hour standoff last Thursday. He had confessed to the killing of three soldiers, and days later, Jewish school children and a rabbi.
Some cousins are doubtful over what the French police has said about Merah, especially about his links to Al Qaeda.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MERAH FETAH, COUSIN OF TOULOUSE GUNMAN MOHAMED MERAH, SAYING:
"Everything they say about Mohamed Merah is rubbish. He is just 23. How could he go to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's impossible."
Relatives are also calling for Merah to be buried in Algeria, in the same cemetery where other family members were laid to rest.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters