Accused murderer Gilad Pereg has asked to see his dead mother Pyriah Sarusi in Argentina

Accused murderer ‘Nicolas’ Gilad Pereg has demanded to see the body of his dead mother Pyrhia Sarusi — and 10 of his cats in Argentina.

Accused murderer ‘Nicolas’ Gilad Pereg has demanded to see the body of his dead mother Pyrhia Sarusi — and 10 of his cats.

“She’s my mother,” it is understood Pereg asked yesterday. “It’s my right.”

But Mendoza authorities denied Pereg’s request to see his mother one last time before she and her dead sister, Australian professor Lily Pereg, were placed in the care of the Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina.

Association spokeswoman Magali Percia said Jewish community members would pray over the pair in a short ceremony in Buenos Aires before both bodies are transferred to Israel.

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Lily Pereg (left) and her sister Pyrhia Sarusi were found dead in Mendoza.

Police are working with the Argentinian Embassy of Israel to repatriate the sisters, but the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing assistance to victims’ family. “Australian consular officers have worked closely with their Israeli counterparts in Argentina,” a DFAT spokeswoman said.

Gilad Pereg pictured at Mendoza police headquarters yesterday to receive an upgrade to the charge over the death of his Australian aunt, which was elevated to aggravated homicide by use of firearm. He was already facing aggravated homicide by relationship for allegedly killing his mother. Picture: Supplied

Pereg was taken to Mendoza police headquarters yesterday to receive an upgrade to the charge over the death of his Australian aunt. He was already facing aggravated homicide by relationship for allegedly killing his mother.

Pereg’s charge was elevated to aggravated homicide by use of firearm after ballistics allegedly matched the round lodged in her lung with one of Pereg’s registered firearms.

Gilad Pereg pictured at Mendoza police headquarters yesterday. Picture: Supplied

The 38-caliber revolver was one of three firearms — one 9mm and two 38-caliber weapons — that Pereg reported stolen in an alleged attempt to conceal the crime. Police allege they were recovered in a search of his property.

“I will tell the reality,” Pereg told reporters as he was taken back to custody for further psychiatric assessment.

Nicolas Gilad Pereg in Mendoza. A picture descirbed as sinister by Argentinian media of alleged murderer Nicolas Gil Pereg at the site where the bodies of sisters Lily Pereg and Pyrhia Sarusi were found.

Pereg ended the hunger strike he has been on since his arrest January 26, despite police not meeting his demands of bringing 10 of his cats to live with him in custody.

Pereg’s four-day hunger strike ended after he was appointed a new public defender, Dr. Diego Flamant, but he has still given no indication how he will plead to the charges.

Court dates have not yet been set, but must come within 10 days of his arrest last Saturday, unless an additional 10-day extension is granted by a court.

Prosecutor Claudia Rios said Pereg, if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, without the chance of parole, after a new law introduced in 2017 increased the sentence from the previous maximum of 35 years. It could be the first jury trial in the wine region of Mendoza after the introduction of a separate new law this year.

The upgraded charges come as new details emerge of Pereg’s aggressive past, with police confirming yesterday that they previously confiscated 11 firearms from his property about two years ago following threats to kill his neighbours.