Court investigation over Salta murders opens in Paris

A court investigation over the “kidnapping, rape and murders,” of the two French women killed in Salta was opened on Friday in Paris, French court sources informed.

The French women, Houria Moumni (aged 24) and Cassandre Bouvier (aged 29), were shot dead while walking through a natural reserve, on holiday in la Quebrada de San Lorenzo, Salta province. The bodies were found last Friday, June 29.

A judge will be named today to supervise the investigation, which will keep the family members of the victims informed of all advances made in Argentina, said the court source.

“The objective is not to substitute the Argentine court, however to make it possible for the families to have an open door to the details of the investigation in Argentina,” explained the court source.

Family members of the tourists travelled to Buenos Aires today, however the bodies have still not been transported for their repatriation. The caskets carrying the young women’s remains are expected to arrive to the Argentine capital by this evening.

Salta Governor, Juan Manuel Urtubey informed that French President Nicolás Sarkozy maintained a personal interest into the case and has been in recent contact with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner regarding the situation.