2024-03-31 10:09:58
Malaysian police announced the arrest of a gunman at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, noting that the 36-year-old man is suspected of being an Israeli spy.
Ridha Uddin Hussein, Inspector General of Police, explained in a press conference late Friday that the man, who was found in possession of six pistols and 200 bullets, arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from the UAE on March 12, using what authorities believe to be a fake French passport. .
He added that the suspect handed over an Israeli passport after police interrogation of him.
Ridha Al-Din confirmed that police were investigating the possibility that the man was a member of Israeli intelligence, although the suspect told authorities that he had entered Malaysia to pursue another Israeli citizen due to a family dispute.
“However, we do not fully trust this story because we suspect that there may be another agenda,” he added, adding that the detained man had moved between several hotels during his time in Malaysia.
Ridhadin said police are also investigating how the suspect obtained the weapons that were purchased in Malaysia and paid for with digital currency.
He added that the authorities are on high alert following the arrest, and security measures have been strengthened around the King of Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and other high-ranking figures.
Malaysia is a Muslim-majority country and a staunch supporter of the Palestinians, and has criticized Israel’s actions in the Gaza war. Malaysia, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, hosts about 600 Palestinian refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In 2018, a Palestinian scientist was shot dead in the Malaysian capital by two unknown men in an assassination that Hamas indicated was carried out by the Israeli intelligence service (Mossad). Israel denied these accusations.
Last updated: March 30, 2024 – 23:36
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2024-03-31 10:09:58