Three held in connection with Frenchman's killing

Security forces arrested three Saudi suspects in connection with the killing of a Frenchman in Jeddah last Sunday.

The French engineer, Laurent Barbot, 45, who worked for the military technology systems company Thales, was shot dead in northern Jeddah.

The three were questioned over their presence in the neighbourhood at the time of the incident and for fleeing the place leaving their car close to the crime scene.

Police were looking for a fourth suspect in connection with the incident.

Security sources told Gulf News the police have come closer to identifying the killer of the Frenchman.

Brig. Mansour Al Turki, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, said the continued prosecution work on evidence and the ongoing interrogation were the main reasons behind the delay in bringing the suspects before the court.

Meanwhile, security forces continued their search operations in several districts in the south and east of Riyadh.

Brig. Al Turki, urged residents to be vigilant and to cooperate with the authorities to expose the hideouts of the armed men.

He said generous rewards are awaiting those who help in the arrest of extremists.