Skulls Exhumed of French Monks Killed in Algeria Troubles

The skulls of seven French Trappist monks killed in Algeria 18 years ago were exhumed Tuesday in the presence of two French magistrates, the APS news agency reported.

The monks were killed in 1996 after being abducted from the Notre Dame de l'Atlas monastery in Tibehirine, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Algiers, and only their severed heads were ever recovered.

Algerian authorities said the monks were kidnapped by Islamist militants, and the murder was claimed by the Islamic Armed Group, which targeted foreigners in the former French colony.

But that version has never been confirmed, and France opened an official inquiry into the incident in 2004.

Tuesday's exhumation at the monastery was carried out in the presence of French judges Marc Trevidic and Nathalie Poux under the supervision of an Algerian magistrate.

DNA samples will be taken from the skulls and radiological examinations carried out, APS said.

On Monday, Algerian Justice Minister Tayeb Louh said Trevidic is working under the supervision of his Algerian counterpart, who will travel to France at the end of the month to interview two members of the French secret services in connection with the case.