POLICE HUNT PALMA MURDER SUSPECT

By Humphrey Carter POLICE continued their hunt for the 41-year-old Moroccan who is suspected of having stabbed his former partner to death in broad daylight in Palma on Sunday afternoon before fleeing with one their four children. And while police across the island were on alert for a white Renault Megane the suspect Rachid Bennis is believed to be driving, forensics were combing the scene of the multiple stabbing in the search for further evidence. Murder detectives did however claim a major breakthrough early yesterday morning when the suspected murder weapon which was used to stab 21-year-old Moroccan Noura Hichou eight times, was found. It also emerged yesterday that the victim called the police on September 19 to report her ex-partner for breaking a restraining order and attempting to take one of their children from her home. On Sunday, Noura was enjoying an early afternoon stroll with her three children when the murder suspect approached the group and a fierce argument broke out, resulting in Noura suffering multiple stab wounds. Fighting for her life, the 21-year-old was rushed to Son Dureta hospital, but there was nothing doctors could do to save her life - one of the stab wounds was to her throat. She died at around 3pm. According to neighbours and statements taken by investigating police, the couple had a stormy relationship. Not only did Noura report her suspected killer to the police in September, but back in June, Rachid reported Noura to the police for allegedly mistreating their eldest child. The couple are said to have argued frequently and that Rachid is said to have apparently paid little attention to his restraining order. The victim's other two children were yesterday being cared for by relatives. Twenty-one-year-old Noura is the third fatal victim of domestic violence in the Balearics this year and, according to figures produced by the Womens' Institute yesterday, a total of 54 women have died at the hands of either their partner or ex-partner this year across Spain. Of the victims, 36 have been Spanish and 18 foreign - six from the Euroepan Union including the German woman shot at her home in Majorca this summer. With regards to the suspects, 37 are Spanish and the remaining 17 foreign five from the European union. Yesterday, politicians and members of the public observed a minute's silence outside the Consolat del Mar, Balearic government headquarters in Palma. Local women's right groups are planning a series of demonstrations in Palma in protest against domestic violence and to call for the police to be given more resources and even greater powers to combat domestic violence.