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Three held in double murder probe Three held in double murder probe
(about 1 hour later)
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a Chinese couple in Newcastle.Three men have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a Chinese couple in Newcastle.
The mutilated bodies of Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found in their flat on 9 August.The mutilated bodies of Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found in their flat on 9 August.
The BBC understands the Chinese men were arrested in raids in Newcastle, Morpeth in Northumberland, and County Durham on Thursday morning.The BBC understands the Chinese men were arrested in raids in Newcastle, Morpeth in Northumberland, and County Durham on Thursday morning.
A further fourteen people were arrested for either conspiracy to commit burglary or for immigration offences. A further 14 people were arrested for either conspiracy to commit burglary or for immigration offences.
All those arrested are described as Chinese nationals.All those arrested are described as Chinese nationals.
Victim torturedVictim tortured
The couple were found dead in separate bedrooms at the downstairs Croydon Road flat by friends.The couple were found dead in separate bedrooms at the downstairs Croydon Road flat by friends.
Mr Zhen was tortured for more than an hour before being stabbed to death.Mr Zhen was tortured for more than an hour before being stabbed to death.
Examinations also showed Miss Xi may have been asphyxiated as well as stabbed during the attack.Examinations also showed Miss Xi may have been asphyxiated as well as stabbed during the attack.
The couple's cat was also drowned by their killers.The couple's cat was also drowned by their killers.
The last known sighting of either of the victims alive was a CCTV image showing Miss Xi arriving home from work on 7 August.The last known sighting of either of the victims alive was a CCTV image showing Miss Xi arriving home from work on 7 August.
Several witnesses reported seeing three men outside the couple's home an hour later.Several witnesses reported seeing three men outside the couple's home an hour later.