TWO suspects who have appeared in court charged with the murder of a Scot at her home in Mauritius have denied involvement and provided DNA samples to help prove their case.

Ravish Rao Fakoo and Kamlesh Mansingh appeared in court in Port-Louis for their provisional indictment over the killing of Janice Farman, 47, from Clydebank.

It is she was smothered by thieves, while her young son was in the house, stole jewellery and money then drove away in her Nissan Tiida car.

The Herald:

The suspect identified as Ravish Rao Fakoo and his friend Kamlesh Mansingh, both aged 25 and living in Palma, who have been interviewed submitted fingerprints and genetic data for a DNA test which will be compared to samples from the crime scene.

Police are understood to be tracking a third suspect who was said to be very close to the two.

Investigators discovered that Ms Farman used to have three regular guests at her house including the two suspects arrested.

The island's Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) and the Western Division's Criminal Investigation Division (CID) believe there is a link to a gang who are suspected of violent robberies across the island.

It has further emerged that police had found no traces of forced entry, indicating that Ms Farman may have known her attackers.

Ms Farman's dog also was no believed to have bark, suggesting that the animal was comfortable with the men.

It further emerged that relatives and friends of the victim will be asked will be solicited to confirm the suspects were guests at Ms Farman's home in the Albion area of the island.

A Mauritius Police Force spokesman said on Tuesday: "Yesterday, the police arrested two suspects, both of them are men aged 25.

"They did appear in court today and were charged with murder.

"They have been remanded until Tuesday next week when they will appear in court and do not make a plea at this stage."

The Herald:

The arrests came after the Prime Minister of Mauritius urged police to mount a thorough hunt for raiders who “assassinated” the Scot.

Pravind Jugnauth said: “I am very concerned and have asked police to carry out a thorough investigation.

“We need to know who would have committed an assassination like this.”

Police were called to the property at Albion on the Indian Ocean island at about 1am on Friday and found Ms Farman’s body in her bed.

Officers also found her 10-year-old adopted son in the property and have passed him into the care of the child development unit.

The boy has reportedly told the investigators that three hooded and armed men attacked his mother. The boy, who suffers from autism, is said to have been able to recognise the voice of one of the criminals.

Mrs Farman's mother was expected to shortly begin proceedings to repatriate the body of the victim. She arrived in the country on Saturday.

The Herald:

On Friday, a post-mortem examination confirmed that she died as a result of "asphyxia due to compression of the neck".

Mrs Farman moved to Mauritius 13 years ago taking a job as the managing director of PECS Data Services.

Her estranged husband Jean-Baptiste Moutou told local media that she had been robbed two weeks ago and wanted to return to the UK.

He said: "She said everything was fine but she wanted to leave Mauritius. She wanted to return to Scotland.

"She asked for my help in initiating proceedings."

Mrs Farman's maid, Priya, said she saw last saw her on Thursday morning when she left home to go to work."

The Herald:

She added that Mrs Farman's laptop had been stolen two weeks before the drama. A complaint was filed with the police station.