Brother of British-Iraqi murdered in French Alps released for lack of proof

The brother of the British-Iraqi businessman found dead in the French Alps with his wife and mother-in-law has been released on bail. British police say they have insufficient evidence to charge him with conspiracy to commit murder.

A British police officer in front of the home of the al-Hilli family Reuters/Neil Hall

Zaid al-Hilli, 54, was arrested in June last year on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder his brother Saad al-Hilli, who was found shot dead in his car along with his wife, Iqbal, and his mother-in-law, Suhaila al-Allaf, in an isolated parking spot near Chevaline, in the French Alps.

A French cyclist, Sylvain Mollier, was found dead nearby.

Police in the English county of Surrey, where he lives, on Wednesday announced that he was released from bail because there is not enough evidence to charge him.

"At this stage there is insufficient evidence to charge him with any criminal offence and no further police action is being taken at this time," a Surrey police statement said.

It promised to continue the investigation along with French police.