The British father murdered in the Alps last week could have been killed over his links to the defence industry, and the satellite company he worked for.
Iraqi-born Saad Al-Hilli was killed with two bullets to the head with his wife Iqbal and a Swedish woman believed to be his mother-in-law last week. Daughters Zainab, seven, and Zeena, four, survived the killing, with the younger returning to the UK with relatives on Sunday.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that French detectives are keen to question colleagues of Mr Al-Hilli, because he was reportedly working on secret contracts for after discovering that he was killed while working on a secret contracts for defence companies.
Surrey Satellites Technology Limited was part of project for European Aeronautic Defence and Space, the newspaper said.
The company designs and launches satellites for clients who want an "eye in the sky" for commercial, civil or security purposes.
Friends and workmates have repeatedly said Mr Al-Hilli was not working on secret projects, and had not signed the Official Secrets Act.
The family were staying in a caravan on Lake Annecy in France, close to the Swiss and Italian borders when they were attacked on Wednesday afternoon. A French cyclist was also shot twice in the same spot.
The professionalism of the massacre has led to speculation that a team of hitmen carried out the attack.
Elder daughter Zainab is in a medically induced coma in a French hospital in Grenoble, after being shot in the shoulder and beaten violently across the head.
A cousin of Saad, Ali Al-Hilli, told The Sunday Telegraph, that Zaid Al-Hilli, the brother of the murdered man, was devastated. There has been speculation about a family feud between the two brothers over money.
Ali Al-Hilli, who lives in Australia, told the newspaper: "He kept saying: ‘Why, why, why? How did this happen?’
"I don’t think Zaid is coping with the pressure. He is really in very deep shock. When I spoke to him he was clearly devastated.
"He wasn’t coping. He is on his own. I think he feels lonely. I was trying my best to give him support although I am far away."
SEE ALSO:
- French Alps Shooting: Dead Father, Saad Al-Hilli, 'Known' To Security Services (PICTURES)
- Francois Hollande Says Police Will Do Their 'Utmost' To Find Family's Killer
- British Al-Hilli Family Named, Father Saad, Mother Iqbal Killed, Daughters Zainab And Zeena Survive
- Killed Cyclist Named As Sylvain Mollier