Too many guns for one target’: Cops zeroing in on Israeli’s real motive here

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has not ruled out the possibility that Israeli Shalom Avitan was planning an attack here, says Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

The Inspector-General of Police said police had taken note of the fact that the 38-year-old suspect chose to enter the country during the fasting month and could have been planning to strike during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

“The suspect gave the reason that he wanted to hunt down a leader of a rival crime family but this could not be easily accepted. As I mentioned previously, Avitan could have threatened the country’s leaders, foreign diplomats and even leaders from Hamas.

“Uncovering the real motive for Avitan being in possession of six pistols and 200 bullets is a focal point in the investigation and could reveal why he came to Malaysia.

“The theory by foreign media outlets that he was on a personal vendetta could just be a diversion, so we must explore all angles in the investigation,” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Tuesday (April 2).

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The IGP said logically, the suspect did not need that many pistols to kill one target.

“The focus is now on uncovering his real motive,” he said.

Razarudin credited Avitan’s arrest to intelligence gathered by the Special Branch Department.

“Information on the suspect’s presence in the country is from intelligence gathering conducted by the Counter Terrorism Division, which has experience curbing terrorist threats.

“The success is also thanks to… the Criminal Investigation Department and information from the public,” he said.

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Avitan was arrested at a hotel in Jalan Ampang on Wednesday (March 27) in possession of the weapons and ammunition.

A local married couple in their early 40s was arrested in Kuala Selangor on Friday (March 29) on suspicion of supplying the weapons to him.

A local man, believed to be Avitan’s driver here, was also arrested in Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

Earlier Tuesday, Razarudin said police were tracking down more suspects in the case.