France Charges Merah's Brother

French prosecutors today filed preliminary murder and terrorism charges against Abdelkader Merah, the brother of Mohamed Merah, the man suspected of gunning down seven people in Toulouse last week. Abdelkader Merah, 29, has been held since Wednesday pending charges; that prosecutors have filed them indicates a strong reason that a crime was committed, notes the AP, but gives investigators more time while Merah remains in custody. Abdelkader Merah denies the charges, reports the BBC, but says he was present when his younger brother stole a scooter later used in the attacks. (More Mohamed Merah stories.)