MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

DNA tests confirm two suspects raped French students killed in Argentina

The announcement was made by Judge Martin Perez as part of the ongoing investigation

The DNA results on tests run on the two French tourists murdered in the Argentine province of Salta indicated that prosecuted suspects Santos Clement Vera, and Gustavo Lasi sexually abused the victims. Likewise, the exam did not test positive on third suspect Daniel Vilte Laxi.

The results indicating that signs of vaginal and anal abuse were detected after autopsies conducted in Cassandre Bouvier and Houria Moumni, were announced by Judge Martín Pérez after getting the final report from the forensic lab of the University of Buenos Aires.

On his statement, Lasi had said that he was gun-forced by Vera and Vilte Laxi to abuse the victims. But latest results have also confirmed that Lasi brutally attacked the two French women before raping them.

“The genetic (skin) trace in the body of Cassandre belongs to Santos Vera and again Lasi which means he effectively raped both women” said Marcelo Baez, spokesperson for the Salta province judicial branch.

The bodies of the two tourists were found shot dead and with signs of sexual violence on July 29 in the San Lorenzo Creek natural reserve, 12 kilometres from the city of Salta in northwest Argentina.

Baez added that DNA exam from the third suspect, Daniel Vilte Laxi did not test positive, “but we still have other genetic samples to test, therefore he is not yet entirely clear”.

The announcement takes place when President Cristina Fernandez on a visit to Paris, has scheduled a meeting Monday evening with the father of Cassandre, Jean-Michel Bouvier.