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Brother of renowned terrorist Merah sentenced to 30 yrs

PARIS, April 18 (KUNA) -- Abdelkader Merah, the elder brother of renowned terrorist Mohammad Merah, killer of seven people in southern France in 2012, was sentenced to 30 years in jail by a French court Thursday on charges that included complicity to murder, media and judicial reports said.
The Merah brothers, both holding French and Algerian nationalities, were deemed to have worked together in a killing spree that left three French soldiers dead and also a teacher and three children at a Jewish school in Montaubon and Toulouse.
Mohammad Merah was shot dead by police shortly after his killing spree and his older brother was detained and firstly acquitted of complicity to murder but found guilty of association with a terrorist enterprise and other charges.
In 2014, he received a 20-year sentence but this was appealed by the prosecutor and today's 30-year sentence is considered a vindication by the families of the victims.
Abdelkader Merah, who is 36, has denied any involvement with his brother's crimes.
The court heard evidence that he has influenced and supported his brother's ideas and plans to carry out the murders. (end) jk.gb