KUALA LUMPUR – The remand order on an Israeli man who was detained with six pistols has been extended for another seven days from today.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the extension for Shalom Avitan’s remand, which was due to end today, is to allow police time to finalise a detailed investigation report.
“We still require some time to gather all firm evidence related to this main suspect (Shalom) and the local married couple who were also remanded last Friday.
“Currently, we (the police) are still looking into the motives and main reasons behind the suspect’s possession of six pistols and 200 rounds of ammunition,” Bernama reported him saying.
Razarudin said another suspect who acted as a driver for Avitan and who was detained in Cameron Highlands has been released on police bail.
“In total, the number of individuals nabbed detained currently is 15, including two Turkish men and one man from Georgia,” he added.
Avitan, 38, was found to have entered the country via the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 12, using a French passport.
During his arrest on March 27, police seized six firearms from his hotel room in Jalan Ampang. The weapons were a Glock 19 Marine, Glock 17 Gen 4, Smith and Wesson, Sig Sauer and Stoeger, along with 200 rounds of ammunition.
Foreign media have reported that Avitan is an associate of the Musli brothers crime family – a notorious Jewish mob syndicate – and is said to have been en route to assassinate another Israeli, the head of a rival gang.
Razarudin also clarified to Scoop that information reported by New Straits Times earlier today on the arrest of Avitan’s target did not come from him.
NST, citing unnamed sources, reported that the target, Eran Haya, was among eight people arrested on Thursday and Friday in connection with Avitan’s case.
Haya is said to have Turkish, American and Polish passports, and had entered Malaysia in February using the Polish document.
Yesterday, Razarudin said three foreigners – two Turkish nationals and one citizen of Georgia – were among the eight arrested in Johor and Kuala Lumpur on Thursday and Friday. – April 7, 2024