Israeli man pleads not guilty to trafficking guns, possessing bullets in Malaysia
Shalom Avitan could face 30 to 40 years' jail and caning if convicted of trafficking firearms.
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SINGAPORE: Israeli national Shalom Avitan pleaded not guilty on Friday (Apr 12) to possessing 158 bullets and trafficking six guns into Malaysia.
Avitan, 38, faces two charges under Malaysia’s Arms Act and Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act and claimed trial at Kuala Lumpur’s Sessions Court.
He was detained on Mar 27 at a hotel in the capital. He told Malaysian police he was in the country to hunt down a fellow Israeli. Israeli media reported he was an associate of a criminal syndicate and wanted to kill the head of a rival criminal family.
But the police have not ruled out the possibility that he could have had other plans, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said previously.
“As I have pointed out, the suspect could be a threat to our leaders, foreign diplomats and even leaders from Hamas,” he told the media this month.
Investigations found Avitan entered the country on Mar 12 on a flight from the United Arab Emirates using a French passport.
According to Malaysian police, he paid a married Malaysian couple about RM10,000 (US$2,104.82) for each of the six guns, which were smuggled from neighbouring Thailand. The couple and another Malaysian suspected of acting as Avitan's driver have been arrested.
They are among 16 individuals who have been detained in connection with Avitan’s arrest, according to Inspector-General Razarudin.
Avitan’s case will be mentioned again on May 21, and he was not granted bail by Judge Tasmin Abu Bakar, news outlet Free Malaysia Today reported.
If convicted of possession of bullets, he faces up to seven years' jail and a fine of up to RM10,000, Malaysian media reported.
If convicted of trafficking firearms, he faces a jail term of 30 to 40 years and caning.
