Mahmoud al-Mabhouh. Assassination still being deciphered
Photo: AFP
4th Australian identity used in Hamas killing
Joshua Krycer identified as fourth stolen identity used in connection with Al-Mabhouh assassination in Dubai. Interpol on Monday added 16 people to its list of suspects, taking the total to 27
A fourth Australian has been identified as having had his passport copied and used as cover by suspects in the killing of a Hamas commander in Dubai earlier this year, the government said Tuesday.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith confirmed that Joshua Krycer was the fourth Australian whose name has been added to a widened Interpol list connected to the slaying of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh.
Smith said Australian Federal Police and the Australian Passport Office had determined that a fake copy of Krycer's passport was presented in Dubai in connection with al-Mabhouh's killing. Three other Australians were similarly implicated in the case.
"There is no information to suggest that Mr. Krycer, as with any other of the three Australian passport holders, was involved in any way, other than as the victims of identity fraud," Smith said in a statement.
Al-Mabhouh was found dead in a luxury hotel room in the Middle East emirate in January. His methodical stalking and killing has been widely blamed on Israel's Mossad spy agency. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.
Interpol on Monday added 16 people to its list of suspects, taking the total to 27.
Dubai police say two groups were involved in the plot, including a core group that carried out the killing and a larger one that played a supporting role by closely watching and reporting on al-Mabhouh's movements in Dubai.
The suspects are believed to have used falsified passports from Europe or Australia.
Smith summoned Israel's ambassador to a meeting last month after it emerged that Australians' identities may be been used in the plot, and said the government would take a dim view if it turned out that the forgeries were condoned by Israeli officials.
Australia is a staunch supporter of Israel.
