MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Eighth suspect arrested in connection with killing of French tourists in Argentina

should receive crucial information for the case on Monday

The police from the Argentine province of Salta arrested on Sunday the eighth suspect in connection to the killings of the two French tourists raped and murdered in Quebrada de San Lorenzo last month.

Police officials informed that the man had a criminal background, and had previously served time. Three calibre 22 weapons were found at his house, and one of them could be the second used in the killings.

Police officer, Néstor Cardozo, Chief of Salta police, confirmed to press that Raúl Sarmiento, (45) arrested Sunday, was also being investigated for a separate case of robbery and had already served time for committing sexual abuse.

The police chief stated that the arrest was made “throughout the morning” and that the suspect remained at the disposition of Judge Martín Pérez, chief investigator of the double murder case.

There are seven others detained over the double crime: Gustavo Lasi (aged 24); his father, Walter Lasi (aged 42); his girlfriend, María Fernanda Cañizares (aged 24); her brother, Federico Cañizares (aged 23); a tourist guide, Darío Ramos (aged 47); gardener Santos Vera (aged 37); and Daniel Vilte.

Accoding to Salta police sources published in the local press Danivel Vilte, Gustavo Lasi and Santos Vera are the three main suspects. Apparently sexual assault and not robbery was the main purpose of the attackers as was the original suspicion.

On Monday the Salta magistrate should also receive the primary report on samples sent to Buenos Aires for DNA testing from the suspects and hair and semen found in bodies of the French tourists.

Cassandre Bouvier (29) and Houria Moumni (24) were found shot dead and with clear signs of have been raped July 29 in the middle of a forest, 12 kilometres from the city of Salta. On of the suspects Gustavo Lasi gave his girlfriend a camera and a cellular phone belonging to one of the victims.