Australia police charge man with Israeli student murder

Australian police on Saturday charged a man with the murder of Israeli student Aiia Maasarwe, some three days after her body was found in Melbourne.

The 21-year-old was speaking to her sister on the phone when she was attacked just after midnight on Wednesday, on the way home from a comedy show.

Her body was found in bushes near a tram stop by passers-by several hours later.

Victoria police, who have described the attack as "horrific", arrested the 20-year-old man on Friday in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. He is due to appear in court on Saturday.

"Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man with murder following the death of Aiia Maasarwe," police said in a statement.

The charge "follows an extensive investigation into Aiia's death following the discovery of her body" they added.

Maasarwe was killed after getting off a tram near the university where she was completing a year-long exchange.

Hundreds of people dressed in black held several vigils in Melbourne for Maasarwe on Friday,