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A Frenchman arrested on Friday at Glasgow Airport is not the man suspected of killing his entire family in 2011.

The man had been arrested at Glasgow Airport on suspicion that he was Xavier Dupont de Ligonnes, who disappeared more than eight years ago, over his suspected involvement in the deaths of his wife and their four children in the western city of Nantes and has been sought by police ever since.

"DNA checks have shown that the man arrested in Glasgow is not Xavier Dupont de Ligonnes," a French police source said.

French media had earlier on Saturday reported that the man's fingerprints had only partially matched those of the alleged assailant, while neighbours interviewed by television stations had said they had no doubt it was not de Ligonnes.

The mystery has transfixed France. De Ligonnes' disappearance has long stumped investigators, leading some to speculate that he has died.

In a statement Police Scotland said the man was arrested at Glasgow Airport on Friday "following information provided to police" had been released.

The force said: "He was held in police custody in connection with a European Arrest Warrant issued by the French authorities.

"Inquiries were undertaken to confirm the man's identity. Following the results of these tests it has been confirmed that the man arrested is not the man suspected of crimes in France.

"The man has since been released."