Prosecutors in Nepal on Monday charged Charles Sobhraj with the murder of two backpackers -- American Connie Jo Bronzich and Canadian Laurent Ormond Carrierre -- in 1975, court officials said.

Officials at Kathmandu District Court said a preliminary hearing would determine whether there is enough evidence to go to trial.

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Sobhraj was arrested at a casino in Kathmandu last month and charged with allegedly using a fake passport to enter Nepal in 1975. Sobhraj was born in Vietnam during French rule and claims French citizenship.

Since his arrest, police have questioned him about the 1975 murders. A judge last week said it wasn't necessary to keep Sobhraj in custody over the immigration charges, but the police arrested him again after he signed the release papers.