France investigates Gourdel assassination

France opened an investigation into the execution of a French national in the province of Tizi Ouzou (100 km east of Algiers). The killers are accused of kidnapping and working for a terrorist group.

French news agency AFP reported on Friday that the investigation will be followed by the appointment of French examining judges to work on the kidnapping incident.

The judges may ask Algerian authorities to allow them visiting Algeria to obtain more details and to hear witnesses.

Hervé Gourdel, 55, was kidnapped and executed by a terrorist group in Algeria.

Earlier, Algerian Parliament’s speaker Larbi Ould Khelifa said the “coward” assassination of the French national raised anger among MPs. Yet, it will not affect relations between the two countries.