KUALA LUMPUR: Intelligence and evidence gathered so far indicated that the Israeli man nabbed in possession of a load of firearms could be a Mossad agent on a covert operation in Malaysia, sources say.
Sources close to the investigation said the 36-year-old suspect holds several passports including one issued by France, which he had used to enter the country on March 12.
“The suspect was very well funded. He paid nearly US$50,000 (RM230,000) to purchase the six handguns and 200 bullets.
“He also has at least 10 credit cards to pay for his expenses,” they said, adding that the suspect had been living the high life here, putting up at five-star hotels and dining at expensive restaurants, apart from shopping for luxury goods.
Based on these preliminary findings, police have reason to believe the foreigner is linked to Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.
Interrogations are ongoing but sources said the suspect was hesitant to cooperate although he had made some confessions.
Police also believe there are other operatives still at large in Malaysia.
The Special Branch and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are in the midst of tracking them down.
Meanwhile, police sources also revealed that the suspect is being kept at a secret location with tight security to prevent untoward incidents including attempts by the suspect to harm or kill himself.
“The moment he was captured on March 27, he knew he had failed in the task given to him. He also knew the risk he would face if he returns to Israel, so there is a possibility that he may kill or harm himself while in custody,” the sources said.
The police force did not rule out the possibility that his “boss” – which could be an authority in his home country or Mossad – wants him dead.
“The suspect is currently under the custody of KL police, but the location cannot be revealed for security reasons.
“Unlike other prisoners, the suspect is deemed high risk and there are officers monitoring him at all times,” the sources said.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the CID is exploring all angles and elements that could be connected to the suspect’s presence in Malaysia.
He said Bukit Aman was aware of reports in Israeli media saying that the suspect had come to assassinate the leader of a rival crime family.
“We are still investigating his motive here and also looking at other factors including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
“As I have mentioned previously, we cannot rule out the possibility that the suspect poses a threat to the country’s leaders, Hamas or even our own people,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Razarudin said police are in the midst of tracing the suspect’s movements and the people he had contacted while in Malaysia.
He added that police needed space to complete the investigation before more information can be shared with the public.
Apart from the suspect, police also detained a Malaysian couple, aged 40 and 42, who allegedly supplied the firearms.
A gun was also seized from the pair.
