France church attack: Two under investigation over murder of priest

Two men are being investigated over the murder of a priest in a church in northern France.

One of those arrested on suspicion of "terrorist association" on Sunday is the cousin of one assailant who slit the throat of a priest during mass last Tuesday. Both killers were shot dead by police after they held five parishioners hostage in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, murdering the priest and seriously injuring one other. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

Farid K, 30, is related to Abdel Malik Petitjean, and the other man under investigation, Jean-Philippe Steven J, 20, allegedly tried to travel to Syria with Petitjean in June.

Both men are being held in custody, according to the Paris prosecutor's office.

The arrests came after it emerged Petitjean was on the French terror watch list and previously been arrested for trying to travel to Syria and join terrorist forces fighting there. He had worn a tag and police had been looking for him for several days before the attack.

The other killer, Adel Kermiche, 19, was also known to the security services.

Meanwhile across France and Italy on Sunday Muslims attended Catholic mass as a gesture of solidarity after the attack.

France's Muslim council, the CFCM, urged Muslims to show "solidarity and compassion" over the killings. One Catholic woman who attended mass told Reuters: "The sentiments expressed were very, very strong. Some of them were very poignant."

A Muslim woman who came to mass with her children said: "This was basically a message of unity, aside from peace, it was really about unity."

related articles
Sky News \'I could have killed them all\' church report goes viral
Sky News 'I could have killed them all' church report goes viral

Sky News 'I could have killed them all' church report goes viral

London police chief: It\'s not \'if\' Britain is hit by terrorists, but \'when\'
London police chief: It's not 'if' Britain is hit by terrorists, but 'when'

London police chief: It's not 'if' Britain is hit by terrorists, but 'when'

Pope says it\'s wrong to identify Islam with violence
Pope says it's wrong to identify Islam with violence

Pope says it's wrong to identify Islam with violence

Muslims flocked to churches on Sunday after Fr Jacques Hamel murder
Muslims flocked to churches on Sunday after Fr Jacques Hamel murder

Muslims flocked to churches on Sunday after Fr Jacques Hamel murder

News
US criticises prosecution of pro-life campaigner over silent prayer near abortion clinic
US criticises prosecution of pro-life campaigner over silent prayer near abortion clinic

The US State Department has said it is closely monitoring the prosecution of a Christian woman who prayed silently in an abortion clinic buffer zone. 

Over £900,000 awarded to help UK churches stay open amid growing funding pressures
Over £900,000 awarded to help UK churches stay open amid growing funding pressures

Hundreds of churches across the UK are receiving vital financial support to remain open and safe, as rising repair costs and shrinking funding streams place historic buildings under increasing strain.

How to make the most of the quiet period between Christmas and New Year
How to make the most of the quiet period between Christmas and New Year

Make the most of these last days of the year to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with God.

US carries out strikes on Islamic State in Nigeria over violence against Christians
US carries out strikes on Islamic State in Nigeria over violence against Christians

The US military has conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Nigeria over the violent "targeting" of Christians.