France drops terror charges against musician

[July 19, 2013]  PARIS (AP) -- French prosecutors say they have dropped terror charges against a Norwegian musician and freed him from custody, but still want him to go to court for allegedly inciting racial hatred.

The prosecutor's office said Friday that Varg Vikernes was freed on Thursday night after three days of questioning by police in the central French city of Brive-la-Gaillarde, near his farmhouse. His French wife was freed on Wednesday. Her recent purchase of four firearms raised suspicions of French authorities although she had a permit.

Vikernes gained notoriety in the 1990s after being convicted in Norway of manslaughter in the stabbing death of a fellow band member and for arson attacks on three churches.

Prosecutors say they still want him to answer in court for his alleged anti-Semitic and xenophobic messages.

[Associated Press]

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