Breakthrough in 1995 Assassination of ‍Egyptian Diplomat Alaa El-Din Nazmi

A ‌recent revelation ⁤by the ⁢French newspaper “Liberation” has shed new light on the 1995 assassination of Egyptian diplomat Alaa El-Din Nazmi in ‍Geneva.⁣ An ⁢Islamist group ‍called​ “International Justice” has claimed responsibility for the crime.

Unsuccessful ⁣Investigation and New ‌Leads

For over 25 years, the investigation into the assassination was unsuccessful, with proceedings suspended in‍ 2009. However, in 2018, an Italian ⁤man of Ivorian origin, born in 1969, was​ arrested, and ⁤his DNA was found on the silencer of the weapon used to kill Alaa El-Din Nazmi.

A New Development in 2020

On May 18, 2020, the⁣ Swiss Federal Court, the highest⁢ judicial body in Switzerland, demanded the‍ immediate release of the⁢ suspect, sparking surprise. The DNA profile, which had​ long been ​unused for‌ investigators, was finally matched using technological developments.

International Cooperation and Investigation

The DNA file was entered into the designated​ system and sent ​to Interpol or the International ⁢Police. The DNA was⁤ detected in ⁤68 ‌countries, ‍but the comparison was ‌inconclusive. Despite the perpetrator not being identified, criminal proceedings ⁢were suspended in December 2009.

Breakthrough in 2016 and Arrest of ​the Suspect

In June 2016, Switzerland’s new ⁢national system, which uses the AFIS algorithm, was launched. As a result, previously unsolved leads,⁢ primarily related to‌ serious crime, were compared to the new financial intelligence ‍system,​ and a⁢ match was found. ‍Fingerprints were eventually found on the silencer,⁣ and the fingerprints of the 55-year-old Ivorian suspect were matched. ‌The main suspect was arrested in October 2018 and charged with premeditated murder.

Recent⁣ Developments and Trial

In‌ May 2020, after the⁣ Federal Court ‍accepted ‌the appeal submitted by the accused, he was released. However, in December​ 2021, ⁢he ‌was arrested ‍again and detained as part of⁢ a special investigation in the Swiss states or provinces by ⁣the Swiss public prosecutor.⁣ He was charged with complicity in ⁢murder by reason of making. The case⁣ is currently ongoing, with the presumption of innocence applying until a final judgment is issued.

Questions ‌Remain

The question‌ remains why the Swiss public prosecutor reopened the ⁢case just months after ‌the statute of limitations expired. According to Swiss law, 30 years‍ is assumed.