France opens Arafat murder case
French prosecutors have opened a murder inquiry into the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 2004, BBC reported.
His family launched a case last month over claims that he was poisoned with polonium-210, a radioactive element.
Swiss scientists hired by a documentary crew say they found traces of polonium on some of Arafat's belongings.
The medical records of Arafat, who died at a military hospital near Paris in 2004, said he had a stroke resulting from a blood disorder.
However, many Palestinians continue to believe that Israel poisoned him. Israel has denied any involvement.
Others allege that he had Aids.
Arafat's family lodged papers with the French authorities asking for an investigation in July.
French officials on Tuesday said prosecutors had agreed to begin a murder inquiry, but they have yet to appoint an investigating judge.