MALAYSIA has deported three foreigners who were arrested on suspicion of having links to a suspected Israeli assasin, Berita Harian reports.
The trio were sent home after investigations were completed. They were suspected of being connected to Israeli Shalom Avitan, who was arrested for gun possession.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the three men were repatriated to their countries of origin, the United States, Turkey, and Georgia.
"The three suspects, including seven local citizens, were released on May 10 on police bail," he said at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters.
Rusdi said the remaining suspects could be rearrested if there is new evidence.
"They are free on bail, but if there are new developments, witnesses or evidence, investigation papers can be opened anytime," he said.
Eighteen people had been detained in connection with Avitan, who pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to charges of gun trafficking and possession of bullets.
Avitan was charged under Section 7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act for trafficking in six guns and Section 8 of the act for possessing 158 bullets.
The 36-year-old Israeli was arrested at a hotel in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, on March 27. He is believed to have entered the country from the United Arab Emirates on a French passport on March 12.
The accused, who also holds an Israeli passport, said he was in Malaysia to hunt down and kill another Israeli over a family dispute.
On April 8, a local couple suspected of supplying firearms to the Israeli man was charged in the Klang Sessions Court with firearms offences. – May 15, 2024
