Relatives of Mohamed Merah, the gunman from Toulouse who killed seven people in France this month, live in the dusty hamlet of Bezaz in Algeria.<br/> <br />Merah's parents were born in Algeria, and he would travel to the country for visits.<br/> <br />His close relatives say they are shocked at what took place.<br/> <br />His uncle Abdelkader Merah, says he is struggling to understand what pushed the 24-year-old to kill.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDELKADER MERAH, UNCLE OF TOULOUSE GUNMAN MOHAMED MERAH, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I don't understand anything in this affair. It's a big mistake. This boy completely changed after being put in prison. He was brainwashed there. His mind was affected by his time in jail, we don't understand what happened."<br/> <br />Mohamed Merah was killed by police after a 30-hour standoff last Thursday. He had confessed to the killing of three soldiers, and days later, Jewish school children and a rabbi.<br/> <br />Some cousins are doubtful over what the French police has said about Merah, especially about his links to Al Qaeda.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MERAH FETAH, COUSIN OF TOULOUSE GUNMAN MOHAMED MERAH, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Everything they say about Mohamed Merah is rubbish. He is just 23. How could he go to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's impossible."<br/> <br />Relatives are also calling for Merah to be buried in Algeria, in the same cemetery where other family members were laid to rest.<br/> <br />Michaela Cabrera, Reuters
