Brit identified as Dubai suspect

A British citizen who traveled on his own passport has been identified as a suspect in the assassination of a Hamas commander in Dubai, according to a British newspaper.

The Independent reported May 16 that the 62-year-old British citizen entered Dubai under his own name and carrying his genuine British passport. His father is believed to be a Jewish Palestinian who moved to Britain after World War II. The man is thought to be hiding in western Europe, according to the report.

Dubai police have informed Interpol of the name and passport number of the suspect. The Independent did not publish the suspect’s name.

The new suspect brings to 33 the number of people accused by Dubai police of being part of the assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in a hotel room in January. The Israeli Mossad intelligence agency has been blamed for the slaying, in which Mabhouh apparently was suffocated after being drugged.

The assassins reportedly used forged passports from Britain, Ireland, Australia and Germany to enter and leave Dubai. One of the newly identified assassins used a French passport.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in Mabhouh’s assassination. — jta