Cops yet to establish if Israeli's 'mafia rival target' is real

The police have yet to establish whether the purported target of Israeli detainee Shalom Avitan exists.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Razarudin Husain said while investigations are ongoing, there is so far no proof whether the 37-year-old’s claim to be hunting for rival mob boss “Eran Haya” is a legitimate motive.

“Initially, I said he (Avitan) was looking for an Israeli man. We are still investigating whether he (Avitan’s target) exists or not.

“This is because that was his initial statement when we seized the weapons, during the interview and interrogation. That’s what he told us,” Razarudin (above) said.

The IGP was speaking to reporters during a press conference at the police headquarters in Bukit Aman today.

He was asked whether the police had ascertained Haya’s identity.

“Not yet... That was the reason he gave as a motive, but we see his motive may be different than the reason he has given,” the police chief added.

He also said the police are probing all potential angles regarding the suspected plot to kill an Israeli national in Malaysia, including whether the foreigner arrested was acting as a coordinator or arms supplier.

The top cop said investigators are particularly focused on how the foreign suspect managed to obtain six firearms in just a few days after arriving in the country.

“We need to establish if he was a coordinator orchestrating this plan, or if his role was to acquire and provide the weapons. Identifying the true motive behind this case is important,” Razarudin stated.

He said the high-profile investigation is vital to upholding national security and maintaining public order in Malaysia, adding that the authorities are pursuing all leads to uncover the full scope of the suspected conspiracy.

Previously, the police said the foreign suspect, a 37-year-old man travelling with a French passport, had arrived in the country on March 12 via the United Arab Emirates, intending to assassinate an Israeli crime figure known as “Eran Haya” who was believed to also be in Malaysia.

Purported assassination plot

Razarudin revealed on Friday that multiple firearms were seized from the detained individual, including Sig Sauer, Glock 27, and Smith & Wesson pistols.

Investigations are currently ongoing under the Passport Act and the Firearms Act to determine the full scope of the purported assassination plot.

In light of the arrest and Malaysia’s backing of Palestine amid the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, security measures have been heightened around the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and other high-profile individuals as a precautionary step.

The case has raised concerns over the potential threat to national security and public order. - Mkini