(AFP) – Oct 23, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Police on Thursday arrested three Chinese men on suspicion of murdering two Chinese students two months ago.

The men, aged 22, 30 and 33, were arrested at separate addresses, Northumbria Police said.

Xi Zhou and Zhen Xing Yang, both 25, were found dead on August 9 in their flat in the city of Newcastle.

Officers believe Zhen may have been tortured for up to an hour before his death.

"Searches... are currently being carried out and those arrested are being questioned throughout today," Detective Superintendent Steve Wade, who is leading the inquiry, said.

"It is early stages and we have a lot of work to do but this is a positive development.

"Both families (of the victims) have been informed of these developments."

A total of 13 people were also arrested on suspicion of more minor offences. Of these, nine were detained over alleged conspiracy to commit burglary, while three were held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit immigration offences.

Another man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Since the pair's deaths, it has emerged they were involved in an Internet betting scam and trading fake documents such as visas and professional qualifications.

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