New move for Peake murder suspect

Isabel Peake was thrown from a train

A new international arrest warrant has been issued for a man suspected of murdering a British student, amid fears he may be released from custody in Portugal.

A French magistrate has issued the warrant for Sid Ahmed Rezala, 20, who is suspected of murdering Birmingham University student Isabel Peake and throwing her from a fast moving train late last year.

Sid Ahmed Rezala on his arrest in Portugal

Algerian-born Rezala fled France after police linked him to the murders of two other women but he was arrested on an international warrant in Lisbon in January.

But a second warrant has been issued amid fears that Portuguese courts may block extradition because Rezala faces a life sentence in France.

Portuguese law only allows for a maximum 30-year sentence and prohibits extradition to countries where a stiffer sentence can be imposed.

The Portuguese Supreme Court is currently considering an appeal by Rezala against the initial extradition proceedings and is expected to deliver its verdict on Wednesday or Thursday next week.

'Release is speculation'

One of Rezala's Marseilles-based lawyers, Joel Bataille confirmed that the international arrest warrant had been issued by French magistrate Frederique Desaunettes in Dijon.

But the lawyer dismissed talk that his client would be released as "speculation".

He said: "His release is a debatable point of view but I don't think it's a serious possibility."

At the time of her death, Isabel had been travelling back to England to visit her parents, Brian and Annie, at their home in Barlaston, near Stone, Staffordshire.

She had been in France for just weeks as part of an exchange trip for her French/Law degree course.

Manhunt

British Embassy officials in both France and Portugal said they had not been informed about Rezala's possible release.

An embassy spokesman in Lisbon said: "We have not been officially told anything and cannot really comment.

"Obviously we have been reading about it in the local newspapers."

Staffordshire police also said they had not been informed by either the French or Portuguese about the possible release.

Inspector Michael Smith said: "It is a matter for the French and Portuguese authorities.

"Obviously we will continue to support Isabel's family if that is appropriate."

French police launched a massive manhunt for Rezala in December after Isabel was thrown to her death from a Paris-bound train on which Rezala was known to be travelling on 13 October.

Police stepped up the search after Corinne Caillaux, 36, was found stabbed to death on another train two months later, and the decomposing body of Rezala's 20-year-old ex-girlfriend Emilie Bazin was discovered.