Dubai says DNA of one assassin found

Police chief contacts various countries in attempt to assemble global team to pursue 26 alleged killers

Roee Nahmias|Last update: 02.26.10 , 18:09

Dubai police chief Dahi Khalfan Tamim announced Friday he possessed the DNA of at least one of the assassins of senior Hamas figure Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh.

"We've (identified) traces of DNA on the scene, belonging to the criminals," he told Al-Arabiya satellite TV. "We have fingerprints and DNA traces and we know what they look like (thanks) to cameras that have revealed the whole operation."

Tamim also said he plans to appoint an international investigation team to pursue the 26 people suspected of committing the murder.

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Tamim estimated Friday that the Interpol would put 15 of the new suspects on its most wanted list as early as next week. He said a delegation on behalf of the Dubai police had visited a number of European countries as part of the investigation which led to the assassins' exposure.

Tamim told the United Arab Emirates-based Al-Bayan newspaper that he was working with European countries, Australia, and the US through diplomatic channels in order to establish an international detection team including members from "at least seven countries".

To the Mossad he called, "Crime does not pay", and hinted that there was no use in disguises, false identities, and concealment. Tamim also stressed that the alleged assassins did not use diplomatic passports.

Dubai identified 15 new suspects in the assassination this week, bringing the total number of people believed involved in the death to 26.

“In addition to the previously released list of 11 suspects, Dubai Police has now identified another six suspects who include a woman who used British passports, a man and three women travelling on Irish passports, two men who used French passports, and three people with Australian passports. The Australians included a woman," the Dubai government's media office said in an emailed statement.

"Friendly nations who have been assisting in this investigation have indicated to the police in Dubai that the passports were issued in an illegal and fraudulent manner," the statement said.