KUALA LUMPUR – Three foreigners who were detained here in connection with the arrest of Israeli national Shalom Avitan have been deported to their respective countries.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the three were deported to the United States, Türkiye and Georgia, respectively, in the last two days, after investigations on them were completed.
Seven Malaysians, who had also been detained in connection to the same case, were released on May 10 on police bail.
“They can be re-arrested if there is new evidence. With police bail, investigation papers can be opened again at any time if there is new evidence,” Rusdi was reported as saying by Berita Harian, after attending the monthly gathering of the KL police headquarters.
The three foreigners and seven Malaysians were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) in connection with Avitan who was found in possession of several firearms.
Avitan, who holds French and Israeli passports, was arrested in a hotel room on Jalan Ampang on March 27 with six guns and hundreds of bullets in his possession.
He is alleged to have come to Malaysia to assassinate another Israeli named Eran Haya.
Avitan, 38, was charged on April 12 with possession and trafficking of firearms involving 158 bullets and six guns.
Among those arrested in connection with his case were a Malaysian husband and wife who were later charged with illegal possession of firearms.
Police said they had obtained the weapons and bullets for Avitan, who paid more than RM60,000 for the firearms which are believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand. – May 15, 2024