Libaax-Sankataabte Posted February 15, 2010 This woman may have been one of the killers. This undated photo released by the Dubai Ruler's Media Office on Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, is claimed by Dubai's Police Chief to show a woman named Gail Folliard of Irish nationality, who the Dubai Police Chief identified as one of eleven suspects wanted in connection with the killing of a Hamas commander, Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, in his Dubai hotel room last month. (AP Photo/Dubai Ruler's Media Office) EDITORIAL USE ONLY Associated Press DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai's police chief said Monday an 11-member hit squad carrying European passports and disguised in wigs, fake beards and tennis clothes was behind the mysterious killing of a Hamas commander in his hotel room last month. Authorities also released photos of the 11. Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim did not directly implicate Israel, as the Islamic militant group has. But the details he released at a news conference in the Gulf emirate are the most comprehensive accusations by Dubai authorities since the body of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was found Jan. 20 in his luxury hotel room near Dubai's international airport. Tamim said it was possible that "leaders of certain countries gave orders to their intelligence agents to kill" al-Mabhouh, one of the founders of Hamas' military wing. But he did not name any countries. Hamas has accused Israel and vowed revenge. Tamim sketched out a highly organized operation in the hours before the killing, clearly done with advance knowledge of the victim's movements, and said the killers spent less than a day in the country. He said forensic tests indicated al-Mabhouh died of suffocation, but lab analyses were still under way to pinpoint other possible factors in his death. He showed the news conference airport surveillance video of the alleged assassination team arriving on separate flights to Dubai the day before al-Mabhouh was found dead. The members of the alleged hit-squad checked into separate hotels. Story continues below In the surveillance footage, which also included images from the hotel, the one woman among the group of suspects appears to be wearing a wig and at times wears a big hat and sunglasses to blend in as a tourist. Others were also seen on the footage disguised as tourists, wearing tennis clothes and carrying rackets. Authorities appear to have linked the group through the videos. They are seen entering and exiting the hotel, standing together or in pairs in the hotel lobby and going in and out the elevator on the floor where al-Mabhouh was staying. They appear individually, sometimes in pairs or in groups of three or four. They paid for all expenses in cash and used different mobile phone cards to avoid traces, Tamim said. The killing itself took just 10 minutes, he said. Several members of the hit squad followed the Hamas man – even riding with him in the same elevator to determine his room number – and then checked into the room across the hall. Four assassins among the group later entered his room in the Al-Bustan Rotana Hotel while he was out, using an electronic device to open the door. There they waited for him to return. Tamim said they were careful not to disturb anything in the room and somehow left the door locked from the inside to try to hide the fact that they had broken in. The team then headed for the airport, some of them flying to Europe and others to Asia, he said. He added that there was "serious penetration into al-Mabhouh's security prior to his arrival" in Dubai, but that it appeared al-Mabhouh was traveling alone. "Hamas did not tell us who he was. He was walking around alone," said Tamim. "If he was such an important leader, why didn't he have people escorting him?" The killing took place about five hours after al-Mabhouh arrived at the hotel and all the 11 suspects were out of the United Arab Emirates within 19 hours of their arrivals, he said. Tamim claimed the suspects left behind some evidence, but he declined to elaborate. He urged the countries linked to the alleged killers to cooperate with the investigation and said the photos and other information were being sent to Interpol and posted on the Internet. Police released their photos, names, nationalities and details of their passports, which authorities said were not fake. At least some of the photos released appeared to be passport photographs and the one woman among the group looked as if she might be wearing a blond wig in her photo. He did not say whether any of the suspects have been formally charged by prosecutors in Dubai, one of seven semiautonomous emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Tamim told reporters the alleged assassination team comprised six British passport holders, three Irish and one each from France and Germany. Hamas has accused Israel's Mossad secret service of carrying out the killing and has pledged to strike back. Britain's Foreign Office declined to comment Monday on the allegations while officials seek more information on the case and the individuals named by Tamim. Israeli officials have accused al-Mabhouh of helping smuggle rockets into the Gaza Strip, the coastal territory ruled by the militant group. A Hamas statement last month acknowledged al-Mabhouh was involved in the kidnapping and killing of two Israeli soldiers in 1989 and said he was still playing a "continuous role in supporting his brothers in the resistance inside the occupied homeland" at the time of his death. Hamas initially claimed al-Mabhouh was poisoned and electrocuted. But Mohammed Nazzal, a Hamas leader, has given a somewhat different account, saying al-Mabhouh was ambushed by Mossad agents who were waiting for him in his hotel room. Nazzal said earlier this month that no poison was involved. But he gave no evidence to back up his charge of Mossad involvement. Top Hamas figures have denied reports that al-Mabhouh was en route to Iran, which is a major Hamas backer. But the group has not given clear reasons for his presence in Dubai. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iwVdaYpYsBz7wKRCUxpcqhtjr31AD9DSQNMG3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Libaax-Sankataabte Posted February 15, 2010 Here is a BBC news clip showing the CCTV footage. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8517316.stm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted February 15, 2010 Mossad I guess.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacaylbaro Posted February 16, 2010 Are we back to the 80s ??? ,,, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N.O.R.F Posted February 16, 2010 Suzan Tamim, the Chechen leader killed last year and now this. Police in Dubai are worried! Violence: The price an open city pays Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ibtisam Posted February 16, 2010 The Police in Dubai probably got paid and were in on it. 11 sent to kill one! Hamas need to close the leak in their organisation, at least the top guys. They have lost many of their key members. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted February 16, 2010 Why was he walking around by himself in Dubai of all places. It was his time but the assasins seem to have donetheir homeowrk and had no fear of the state they were in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dhagax-Tuur Posted February 16, 2010 Isn't time for Hamas to use the wider muslim community of all races and western passports as spies to counter the Israeli onslaught? 3 Irish pass holders, 6 British pass holders and God knows how many more. The foiled Dimishiq assassination of Mr Mashal carried by Canadian pass holders. Come on, Hamas! There are plenty of Falastinians with Western passports who would probably be willing to take on these sort of assignments, if the rest of the Ummah are not ready to.... Let the game of cat and mouse begin.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Archdemos Posted February 16, 2010 Although completely ruthless in its execution, you can't help but admire the sheer cunning and audacity of this operation. it reads like something straight out of a le Carré book. If Israel was let loose on its enemies, i fear it would be a one sided affair. Obviously the passports are fakes as the 3 Irish suspects don't even exist according to Ireland's foreign ministry. so the vicious cycle of suicide bombings followed by collective punishments will continue. I'm glad this happened in Dubai as it should embarrass that weak excuse of an entity. i didn't realise i had a deep hatred for Arabs until i visited that shithole U.A.E for a holiday. i went full of prmoise and came back dejected by what i had seen. Pathetic excuse for human beings. and yes i know I shouldn't generalise all Arabs , just those countries that i have visited which include, U.A.E, Bahrain, Egypt. Although Oman was the only pleasant place and people of the entire lot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blessed Posted February 16, 2010 Allah Yarxamuh. Originally posted by *Ibtisam: The Police in Dubai probably got paid and were in on it. Come on, Ibts. Waxaan waad dhaanta. Tut, tut! Leave my home town alone, people. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted February 16, 2010 ^^^Sis most of the time, without local spies and support these operation could not even be undertaken. Dubai is a soft spot.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGONGE Posted February 16, 2010 ^^ Local support for what exactly? To provide them with the 'illegal' pillow that they used to suffocate the victim with? Originally posted by Archdemos: Although completely ruthless in its execution, you can't help but admire the sheer cunning and audacity of this operation. it reads like something straight out of a le Carré book. What eleven people sent to kill one person, in his hotel room and unarmed? Yes, I see the sheer cunning and audacity. Allahu el mustcaaan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blessed Posted February 16, 2010 GD, Soft spot in what regard? Besides, all I'm saying is seperate your opinions and dislike for a place from facts. Waxaa idiin fiican that you refrain from accusing Muslims of things you have no knowledge of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
General Duke Posted February 16, 2010 ^^^The Audacity of it all, to take out a top man, in his own Arab backyard and het away.. NGOONGE you have to admit it was not easy.. Blessed: Adeer, two top leaders were killed in the city. This is a fact. How did the assassins they get all that valuable Intel? No doubt with local help and support. Most spy agencies have local Arab informers; even the Mossad has many Palestinian informants. Again we are dealing with facts. Was it not a top “Shiekh” of the UAE, who was video taped torturing a fellow Muslim for a western power? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGONGE Posted February 16, 2010 ^^ What do you mean it's not easy? From the way the man was moving around, you, I or anyone else could have killed him (if we wanted to). There does not seem to have been a great plan there. All the planning took part before hand (outside Dubai). The part that took place in Dubai is an actual kids play (in criminal standards). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites