The Metz prosecutor's office on Saturday opened a judicial investigation for "
assassination
" after the death of a 25-year-old soldier on Thursday in Bitche (Moselle), and the suspect, also a soldier, was indicted and placed in pre-trial detention.
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"
He did not make a statement before the investigating judge
," said the public prosecutor, Yves Badorc.
This 24-year-old corporal of the 16th battalion of foot hunters had nevertheless admitted the facts during his police custody, added the magistrate.
According to the first elements of the investigation, this soldier "
nurtured a strong resentment towards the victim
", first class of 25 years, indicated Yves Badorc.
The facts occurred Thursday around 7 a.m. at the Bitche camp and a flagrant investigation had been opened initially for "
intentional homicide
" before being reclassified as assassination.
According to the prosecution, “
the first forensic findings confirm the use of a firearm and a knife
”.
Twenty witnesses have already been heard and an autopsy should take place next week, said the prosecutor.
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The investigation had been entrusted to the Metz research section and the Sarreguemines gendarmerie research brigade.