I think the key word is Iraqi here. Honor killings are something that at least need to be considered here.
(CBS/AP) ANNECY, France - French prosecutors focused Friday on a feud between brothers as they searched for a motive in the slayings of a British-Iraqi family vacationing in the French Alps.
Two young sisters survived the deaths of their parents and an older woman in the family car late Wednesday, as well as a French cyclist whose body was found nearby. The children, apparently the only witnesses to the shootings on an isolated Alpine road, were under police and consular protection Friday, held in separate places.
The girls are being held separately only because the oldest of the 2 was shot in the head and she is in the hospital in a medically induced coma.
The 4 year old has already been traumatized enough, and does not need to see her sister in this state.
Prosecutor Eric Maillaud said British police have reported that the girls' father had been feuding with his brother over money. A family friend said the father of the two men died recently — while public records showed the brother had left the victim's small aeronautics design firm.
"This seems to be credible information coming from the British police. The brother will have to be questioned at length," said Maillaud. "Every lead will be meticulously followed."
It could possibly be over the "rights of the first born" and the jealousy that that entails.
Iraqi's do not hold the same "divide the wealth" tradition that Americans or that of the rest of the "civilized" world do.
I hope for the little girls sake that the Uncle is not involved and am left to wonder if the elderly lady that was killed was the mother of the 2 brothers
But French police said Friday they are not focusing on any particular lead and are still open to the idea that there was more than one person involved in the murder. On Friday, police increased security around the two children — both potential witnesses — fearing that the shooter or shooters may be at large.
Maillaud said Friday that investigators are looking for a green or dark colored 4x4 vehicle and a motorbike in connection with Wednesday's killings. Maillaud also confirmed that the 4-year-old's UK-based uncle is offering his help to British police.
For the first time in nearly two days,
