“The Snake”: French serial killer leaves Nepalese prison How the US “bomb cyclone” is linked to Switzerland’s thaw

A notorious French serial killer has been released from a Nepalese prison after serving 19 years in prison. He was handed over from prison in the capital Kathmandu to the country’s migration authorities for deportation on Friday, the prison chief told DPA news agency.

He then left the Himalayan country in the evening (local time) on a plane to Qatar. From there he should be taken to his French homeland, said a spokeswoman for the migration authority.

Nepal’s highest court this week ordered the release of 78-year-old Charles Sobhraj, nicknamed “The Snake”, a year before the official end of his sentence. The reasons for this were his age, good behavior and deteriorating health. The man has been linked to the murder of several tourists in different countries. In Nepal he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the murder of two tourists. It was said that he would not be allowed to enter the country in the future.

He was nicknamed “Snake” for his cunning – this is how he repeatedly escaped the authorities. His life story inspired a British TV series (“The Serpent”) and several books, among others. (saw/sda/dpa)