The brother of a Claygate man who was murdered in the French Alps last year has been released on bail after he was arrested on Monday.

Zaid Al-Hilli, 54, of North Parade, Chessington, was arrested at his home at about 7.30am on Monday, June 24.

He was released on bail on Tuesday evening until July 31. 

Saad Al-Hilli, 50, of Oaken Lane, Claygate, his wife Iqbal, 47, and his mother-in-law Suhalia Al-Allaf, 74, were shot dead in their BMW near Lake Annecy on September 5 last year.

French cyclist Sylvain Mollier, 45, was also shot dead in the attack.

Zaid Al-Hilli was the first person to be arrested in connection with the murders.

A French cyclist, Sylvain Mollier, 45, was also shot dead in the massacre.

The two Al-Hilli children, Zainab, then seven, and Zeena, then four, survived the attack, with the eldest daughter suffering head injuries and gunshot wounds.

Zeena survived the attack by hiding under her mother’s skirt, and was not found by police until many hours later.

Both daughters have been placed into care by social services.

Many theories into the deaths have been explored by French authorities, including that Mr Mollier was the intended target, a lone gunman had struck in the remote spot and that Mr Al-Hilli’s work may have had links to nuclear secrets.

A feud between the two brothers was also investigated, and reports suggest Saad had changed the locks on his Claygate home before the family left for their holiday.

Following the deaths in the Alps, officers from Surrey Police carried out extensive searches of Saad Al-Hilli’s house and bomb disposal experts were called in after what was believed to be a hazardous item was found.

On Monday afternoon police had removed items from the home of Zaid Al-Hilli.

Phil Davies was clearing out his mother's flat in Bray Court following her recent death. He described Mr Al Hili as a “mild-mannered, quiet and polite man”.

He said: “I was in the shower when they arrested him. Apparently the police came in and he left with them.

“It was one big nothing. Then forensics and the press started turning up. It’s been like a TV soap opera.”

French prosecutor Eric Maillaud said the arrest on Monday had coincided with a raid on the golf club Mr Al-Hilli worked for.

A neighbour said he worked as an accountant at Burhill Golf Club in Hersham, part of the Burhill Group based in Burhill Park.

Burhill Golf Club declined to comment on if a raid had taken place and if Zaid Al-Hilli had worked there.