Paris opens investigation into deaths of two nationals in Nairobi mall attack

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Paris opens investigation into deaths of two nationals in Nairobi mall attack

(Xinhua) 09:10, September 24, 2013

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PARIS, Sept. 23 -- French court opened an investigation into the attack on the shopping mall in Kenyan capital Nairobi where two French citizens were killed by Somali Islamist al-Shabaab, local media reported on Monday.

The preliminary investigation was opened by prosecutors from the anti-terrorism section for "the murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise," according French newsweek Le Point's report on its website.

The Paris prosecutors made the decision following the announcement made by the Presidency, which said in a statement that two French citizen were killed in the attack that happened on Saturday morning in the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi.

On Sunday, French ministry for overseas nationals confirmed that a French mother and her daughter "were cowardly attacked and executed in the parking lot of the shopping center."

The tragedy was staged by Somali Islamist militants who launched a deadliest attack on the popular shopping mall in Nairobi in retaliation for the East African country's military action against the Somali militants group al-Shabaab.

The deadly siege of the shopping mall has entered its third day on Monday as Kenya security forces attempted to control the mall and to free hostages holed up by al-Shabaat militants inside the building.

So far, 62 were reportedly dead in the attack, according to the Red Cross.

（Editor：LiangJun、Zhang Qian）