Here's What's Going On With The Case Of The Palestinian Lecturer Who Was Shot Dead In KL
So far, police have released photos of one of the two alleged killers.
By Sadho Ram — 27 Apr 2018, 01:24 AM
On Wednesday, a congregation of about 2,000 people performed the funeral prayer Dr Fadi Al Batsh, a private university lecturer from Palestine, who was gunned down in Setapak by two assailants
A photo published by the New York Times shows mourners carrying the body of Dr Fadi Al Batsh in KL.
Image via Fazry Ismail/European Pressphoto Agency, via New York TimesFollowing a funeral procession in KL, his body was flown to Egypt for burial in Gaza. The 35-year-old, who was said to be a devout family man and an Imam, was a member of the Hamas organisation.
Several family members travelled with the coffin in a van to the Kuala Lumpur Airport (KLIA), where they boarded a flight to Egypt before heading to Gaza to bury his remains. The body, which was flown to Cairo, Egypt on a Saudi Airlines flight late Wednesday, was then transported by land to Gaza, according to Bernama.
His widow, Enas Al Batsh, who flew with her slain husbands remains, plans to remain in Gaza for good along with her three young children.
The 31-year-old widow, who had enrolled in a PhD programme with Universiti Malaya's Education Faculty, plans to continue her studies online, reported Channel NewsAsia.
The widow inside a car as she leaves the forensics wing of the Selayang Hospital.
Image via MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Channel NewsAsiaEarlier on Tuesday, 24 April, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohamad Fuzi Harun told the press that they recovered a high-powered motorcycle that they believe was used in the shooting
IGP Fuzi Harun confirmed the motorcycle was found abandoned in Danau Kota, Setapak, some 2 km from the scene of the shooting.
"Yes, the police have found the motorcycle believed to have been used by the suspects during the murder. However, I cannot divulge details because the matter is still under investigation," he was quoted in a report by Bernama.
Reportedly, it was a passer-by, who stumbled on the high-powered motorcycle near the lake, alerted the police on Tuesday, 24 April, at about 1pm.
Following the discovery of the motorcycle, police on Wednesday released photos of one of the two motorcycle-borne assailants
According to IGP Fuzi Harun, the assailants were believed to have entered the country at the end of January this using fake identification documents.
A report in NST Online, dated 25 April, quoted IGP Fuzi Harun saying, "We believe the duo are still in the country and those who have information can contact the police."
Those with information on the case can contact the investigating officer, Assistant Superintendent Shahrizal Salleh at 017-7134705 or contact any nearest police station.
The actual photo of one of the suspects alongside his facial composite sketch.
Image via /AIZUDDIN SAAD/NST OnlineMeanwhile, it was reported that the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) will be assisting the PDRM to track down the two assailants
Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who was quoted by Bernama on 25 April, said that both suspects involved in the murder case must be brought to justice.
"We will not give concessions to anyone who violated the law in this country and take advantage of this incident. Do not sensationalise this incident and let PDRM investigate," the Caretake Defence Minister told reporters on Wednesday.
The two assailants are still believed to be in the country, according to IGP Fuzi Harun, who said there is a possibility the suspects are still in Malaysia.
However, there is "also a possibility", the IGP added, that "the suspects have changed their appearances by cutting off their hair or shaving their beards."
On the other hand, the Home Ministry on Thursday said that it is investigating whether two journalists, believed to be from an Israeli news portal, had entered Malaysia to cover the lecturer's murder
A report in Bernama, dated 26 April, quoted Home Deputy Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed urging the public to not make any speculation on the matter.
"We want to know who is spreading these stories. Do not make hasty conclusions, let the investigations be completed and let us issue a statement subject to the suitability…but do not jump to conclusions," the Home Minister added.
According to the report in Bernama, Nur Jazlan was commenting on a viral 38-second video recording of two journalists who were believed to be in Malaysia and providing news coverage on the assassination of Dr Fadi Al Batsh in KL.
Anyhow, the case, due to its complex matrix, is drawing a lot of international media coverage. And on Wednesday, the New York Times reported that the UniKL BMI lecturer, who taught electrical engineering, co-wrote a paper on drone applications in 2013.
The New York Times (NYT), while quoting some Middle Eastern intelligence officials on condition of anonymity, reported that the Palestinian lecturer had been sent to Malaysia "to research and acquire weapon systems and drones for Hamas."
According to the intelligence officials, "Mossad has been particularly interested in Hamas's advances in unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles" which could be used to attack Israeli targets more effectively than the rockets Hamas has used in the past.
The New York Times also claimed that the United Malays National Organization and Hamas maintain a close "relationship" as Hamas representatives are invited every year to UMNO's party conference
A photo published by the NYT shows masked members of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, stationed in front of a mourning tent for the lecturer in the Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza, where he grew up.
Image via CreditMohammed Saber/EPA, via New York Times