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Annecy murders: French police ask Baghdad to seek out victims' relatives Annecy murders: French police ask Baghdad to seek out victims' relatives
(30 days later)
The extended family of Saad al-Hilli are now living with multiple burdens: the loss of their loved ones; the worry about how best to care for the two surviving children, and the fact that some have pointed to a family feud about money as the reason for the killings.The extended family of Saad al-Hilli are now living with multiple burdens: the loss of their loved ones; the worry about how best to care for the two surviving children, and the fact that some have pointed to a family feud about money as the reason for the killings.
Amid reports that some family members were preparing to fly out to be with the children on Friday night, none were speaking publicly about the ordeal. Sean O'Reilly-Hilli, speaking on the doorstep of his terrace house in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, the man told reporters.Amid reports that some family members were preparing to fly out to be with the children on Friday night, none were speaking publicly about the ordeal. Sean O'Reilly-Hilli, speaking on the doorstep of his terrace house in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, the man told reporters.
Electoral roll records show an extended family of eight living at the family home in Claygate, Surrey – all with the surname al-Hilli. Saad's wife, Ikbal, 47, also died in the attack. Her 77-year-old mother is believed to have lived in Reading. It has not yet been confirmed whether she was indeed the third adult to die in the car, the holder of a Swedish passport. Other family members are believed to have lived in Oxfordshire.Electoral roll records show an extended family of eight living at the family home in Claygate, Surrey – all with the surname al-Hilli. Saad's wife, Ikbal, 47, also died in the attack. Her 77-year-old mother is believed to have lived in Reading. It has not yet been confirmed whether she was indeed the third adult to die in the car, the holder of a Swedish passport. Other family members are believed to have lived in Oxfordshire.
James Matthews, a family friend, said: "It was an extended family house and he [Saad al-Hilli] took it over when his mother died 10 years ago."James Matthews, a family friend, said: "It was an extended family house and he [Saad al-Hilli] took it over when his mother died 10 years ago."
Matthews said the murdered man's brother, Zaad, moved out within the last two years: "I think his brother moved the last of his stuff out 18 months ago. Their father had been living in Spain as it is warmer there but then he came back for a little while and was living in the bedroom the brother had been living in so he couldn't have been there then.Matthews said the murdered man's brother, Zaad, moved out within the last two years: "I think his brother moved the last of his stuff out 18 months ago. Their father had been living in Spain as it is warmer there but then he came back for a little while and was living in the bedroom the brother had been living in so he couldn't have been there then.
"Then the father went back to Spain and died about a year ago.""Then the father went back to Spain and died about a year ago."
Saad al-Hilli, 50, came to Britain in the mid-1970s after his family felt threatened by the ruling Ba'ath party of Saddam Hussein.Saad al-Hilli, 50, came to Britain in the mid-1970s after his family felt threatened by the ruling Ba'ath party of Saddam Hussein.
He last went back there two years ago, said Matthews: "I know he went out to Baghdad a couple of years ago and sought out his old family home as he still had the deeds, but he wasn't very impressed. It was being used as a barracks by the military I think.He last went back there two years ago, said Matthews: "I know he went out to Baghdad a couple of years ago and sought out his old family home as he still had the deeds, but he wasn't very impressed. It was being used as a barracks by the military I think.
"Eventually he sold it on for pennies as it was worthless. I know that the family home and business was sequestrated and the Ba'ath party were in power at the time. They left all that behind because the ruling party didn't get on with his dad.""Eventually he sold it on for pennies as it was worthless. I know that the family home and business was sequestrated and the Ba'ath party were in power at the time. They left all that behind because the ruling party didn't get on with his dad."
Zaad al-Hilli, Saad's brother, ceased to be company secretary of the family business last year, according to the murdered man's accountant, Julian Stedman. He was replaced by Ikbal al-Hilli. But company records show the company handled relatively little money. Analysis of accounts from 2002 show a pre-tax profit of £34,808, tax of £6,582 (at 20%), leaving a net profit of £28,227, from which Saad al-Hilli paid himself a £27,846 dividend. Saad held the one single share.Zaad al-Hilli, Saad's brother, ceased to be company secretary of the family business last year, according to the murdered man's accountant, Julian Stedman. He was replaced by Ikbal al-Hilli. But company records show the company handled relatively little money. Analysis of accounts from 2002 show a pre-tax profit of £34,808, tax of £6,582 (at 20%), leaving a net profit of £28,227, from which Saad al-Hilli paid himself a £27,846 dividend. Saad held the one single share.
Ali al-Dabbagh, a spokesman for the Iraqi government, told the Evening Standard that the French had asked Baghdad officials to find family members: "Our embassy in Paris has been contacted by the French government and we are helping them with their investigation. We're trying to establish the family links here in Iraq.Ali al-Dabbagh, a spokesman for the Iraqi government, told the Evening Standard that the French had asked Baghdad officials to find family members: "Our embassy in Paris has been contacted by the French government and we are helping them with their investigation. We're trying to establish the family links here in Iraq.
"So far we have not been able to find any records about family members here. We do know that the father held dual British and Iraqi nationality, but we are still trying to establish the last time he was in Iraq.""So far we have not been able to find any records about family members here. We do know that the father held dual British and Iraqi nationality, but we are still trying to establish the last time he was in Iraq."
Saad and Ikbal met in Dubai and married in August 2003. Two years later their first child, Zainab, was born.Saad and Ikbal met in Dubai and married in August 2003. Two years later their first child, Zainab, was born.
With the youngest child about to start school, Iqbal had spent the summer studying dentistry as she prepared to return to work.With the youngest child about to start school, Iqbal had spent the summer studying dentistry as she prepared to return to work.
Outside the family home, tributes were left by friends and locals: "Dearest Saad and Iqbal, May you rest in peace and know that you shall be greatly missed and never forgotten. Our prayers and thoughts are with Zainab and Zeena, lots of love Claudia, Pippa and Giles."Outside the family home, tributes were left by friends and locals: "Dearest Saad and Iqbal, May you rest in peace and know that you shall be greatly missed and never forgotten. Our prayers and thoughts are with Zainab and Zeena, lots of love Claudia, Pippa and Giles."
Another note read: "Iqbal and Saad, God rest your souls. Dear Zainab and Zeena, our prayers are with you may God comfort, heal and restore you, Love Annie and Isaac."Another note read: "Iqbal and Saad, God rest your souls. Dear Zainab and Zeena, our prayers are with you may God comfort, heal and restore you, Love Annie and Isaac."
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