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Swiss open murder case for cyclist killed in Tajikistan

bikes on ground
The knocked-down bikes of tourists attacked by terrorists Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Switzerland has opened a criminal case following Sunday’s attack on bicycle tourists in Tajikistan, in which a Swiss man and three others were killed. 

The attack, claimed by Islamic State, injured two other people, including a Swiss woman who flew back to Switzerland on Wednesday. 

+ The other victims came from France, the Netherlands and the US 

On Thursday, the Office of the Attorney GeneralExternal link announced that it had opened a criminal case against persons unknown on suspicion of murder, severe personal injury, membership or support of a criminal organisation, and violation of the law banning al-Qaeda and the Islamic State and related groups. 

According to the office, this is the usual procedure for alleged attacks affecting Swiss citizens. 

The Swiss Foreign Affairs MinistryExternal link has since updated its travel advice for Tajikistan, including several lines about how the cyclists were hit by a car in the Danghara district before being attacked with knives. 

Local police say one suspect has been arrested, two were killed while resisting arrest, and three are at large.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR