Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Warrants issued in killing of Hamas commander

Dubai Public Prosecution has issued the international arrest warrant against suspected murderers of Mahmoud Al Mabhouh on charges of premeditated murder in Dubai.

Attorney-General Essam Eisa Al Humaidan said that the warrants were issued as per current UAE laws, including the International Judicial Cooperation Law on criminal issues, and UAE agreements with the declared home countries of the suspects.

He said that the UAE had the judicial cooperation agreement with many countries that allowed requests for extradition.



A combination image made from undated photos released by the Dubai Ruler's Media Office on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, which were claimed by Dubai's Police Chief to show eleven suspects wanted in connection with the killing of a Hamas commander, Mahmoud Al Mabhouh, in his Dubai hotel room last month. (From left to right, top row): Evan Dennings of Irish nationality, Gail Folliard of Irish nationality, James Leonard Clarke of British nationality, Jonathan Louis Graham of British nationality; (From left to right, middle row) Michael Bodenheimer of German nationality, Paul John Keeley of British nationality, Michael Lawrence Barney of British nationality; (From left to right, bottom row) Peter Elvinger of French nationality, Kevin Daveron of Irish nationality, Melvyn Adam Mildiner of British nationality, Stephen Daniel Hodes of British nationality.


The announcement came even as the British and Irish passports used by the nine of the 11 suspected killers of Hamas commander Mahmoud Al Mabhouh last month were described as fake by the two respective governments.

The Dubai Police Chief, Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, said that the Interpol had been alerted, but maintained that the arrests could take some time.

“We cannot tell at this stage,” he said. “If it is proved that there are other suspects, we will issue arrest warrants and (insist) that they be handed over to the UAE.”

Humaidan said that the prosecution began its probe immediately after the murder, ordered forensic investigation to establish cause of death, and took down testimonies.

Khalfan, stating that Dubai remained secure and that Mabhouh’s killing was only the second of its kind, maintained that the police could not prevent such internationally orchestrated crimes and that they could occur anywhere.

He further said that the slain Hamas leader had not informed the police about his arrival. The fact that he perceived a threat or needed protection was not made known either.

No comments: