MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sarkozy thanks CFK for the investigation of the murder of two French tourists

Allegedly the calibre 22 weapon to murder the two young French women has been recovered by the Police

French President Nicolas Sarkozy called President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, CFK, on Sunday in order to “personally thank her for the outstanding job” carried out by local authorities in the investigation of the murder of two French tourists in Salta.

“I personally wanted to thank you, and through you also the entire police and the Argentine justice for the truly outstanding job they have carried out in the case investigating the murders” the French president told Cristina Fernández over the phone.

“This brings great relief and comfort to the families of the victims. So I congratulate you and thank you once more for how well they were treated there, something we very much appreciate. I wanted to do this personally, and I hope you will extend my personal appreciation to the Argentine Justice system, all judges and police officers involved,” Sarkozy added.

Cristina Fernández replied that she appreciated his call, and explained that the investigation was the result of thorough coordination between national and provincial authorities. “I appreciate your words and I will convey your message to all officials involved in the case,” she told him.

Sarkozy ended the call by assuring he was “very happy” to talk to her personally, adding he was “glad to know they would both soon be meeting at Cannes” for the G20 summit in November.

In Salta judicial sources reported it had found the weapon which was used to kill Houria Moummi and Cassandre Bouvier and detained other two suspects.

“The 22 calibre gun was found at the house of a neighbour of one of the seven suspects detained on Saturday, who had confessed the place where it was hidden,” Marcelo Báez, the spokesman of the Justice department of the district said.

The police arrested seven people after several raids held in Salta City and the neighbouring locality, San Lorenzo, where the bodies of the two French advanced students of Latin American affairs were found, allegedly raped before being shot.

Earlier, four suspects - all Salta natives - were arrested, the judge in charge of the case confirmed.

“They have been arrested in connection to the case” affirmed Judge Martín Peréz, who also reported the discovery of important new evidence toward solving the case. One of the new pieces of evidence includes a camera, which investigators are already analyzing.
The new detained suspects will give evidence on Monday. Following the recent arrests, there are now seven people who remain in custody in connection with the murders.