KUALA LUMPUR – An Israeli national, who was apprehended at a hotel in Jalan Ampang here last week, spent more than RM60,000 to purchase six firearms, according to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
Addressing a press conference today, Razarudin said the guns 38-year-old Shalom Avitan allegedly procured from a local husband and wife are said to be priced at about RM10,000 each.
He added that the local duo, who have since been remanded by police, are believed to have smuggled in the firearms from Thailand – the country Avitan had visited before he entered Malaysia on March 12.
“I admit that there is a bit of a loophole (allowing) firearm and contraband products to be brought (into Malaysia) from Thailand,” said the top cop in Bukit Aman police headquarters here.
It was previously reported that Avitan had been found with six guns, including a Glock, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer and Stoeger, as well as hundreds of bullets when he was arrested on March 27.
Meanwhile, Razarudin confirmed that the remand order on the Israeli man will end on April 7 while the local couple will be remanded until April 5.
“Police are tracking down a few more people of interest – Malaysians and foreigners – to record their statements as part of our investigation.
“We’re looking at all possible angles for our investigation,” Razarudin said, adding that probes are being carried out into Avitan’s claims that he had come to Malaysia to assassinate another Israeli named Eran Haya due to family issues.
He also said as of now, since there is no confirmation on whether Avitan’s alleged target exists, police are not dismissing the possibility of the Israeli being a spy.
“Our main burden of proof is to find out the suspect’s motive to guarantee our national security and protect public order.
“He had six guns with him. Imagine if he had caused problems during Raya celebrations… Thankfully, our police force managed to prevent any unwanted incidents.”
Previously, foreign media reported that Avitan is supposedly an associate of the Musli brothers crime family, a notorious Jewish mob syndicate, and is said to have been en route to assassinate the head of a rival gang.
Besides that, Razarudin said while local police have yet to contact their Israeli counterparts on the suspect’s detainment, efforts have been made to reach out to the Israeli Embassy in Singapore.
“The suspect obtained his French passport (which was used to enter Malaysia) through the French immigration in Tel Aviv.
“On his French passport, the suspect has a Tel Aviv address. Police are working on confirming whether the suspect resided in Israel,” he added.
Earlier, Razarudin said the suspect did not want to reveal his true job, causing police to not rule out the possibility of the man being linked to Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. – March 2, 2024