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Sniper suspect in Swedish shootings suspected in two more murders

Other News Materials 20 December 2010 20:33 (UTC +04:00)
A 38-year-old man in custody on suspicion of killing one person in a series of sniper attacks that appeared to target immigrants in southern Sweden is now suspected of two more murders, prosecutor Solveig Wollstad said Monday.
Sniper suspect in Swedish shootings suspected in two more murders

A 38-year-old man in custody on suspicion of killing one person in a series of sniper attacks that appeared to target immigrants in southern Sweden is now suspected of two more murders, prosecutor c said Monday, dpa reported.

The two murders were committed in 2003, Wollstad said, adding that investigators suspected the man of a further five suspected shootings between 2006 and this year.

In November, the district court in Malmo remanded him in custody on suspicion of one murder and five attempted murders between October 2009 and August this year.

A new custody hearing was due Tuesday. Wollstad told local media she was confident the evidence supported the allegations of the additional crimes.

The man has denied the allegations against him.

While in custody he had undergone tests conducted by a forensic psychiatrist. They suggest he suffered from a mental disturbance.

The first known murder linked to the man was committed in October 2009 when a 20-year-old woman was shot and killed while she was sitting in her car. Her male companion was seriously injured.

Most of the victims were attacked from behind or shot at through the windows of homes or shops.

A special police unit was set up weeks ago to hunt for the gunman as the attacks began to cause panic in Malmo, which has a high immigrant population.

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