Decision to prosecute 10 individuals linked to Israeli 'spy' to be announced in May

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision on whether 10 individuals detained in connection with Israeli Shalom Avitan, will be prosecuted or otherwise, will be known next month.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the decision would depend on the investigation of the 10 suspects, including three foreigners.

"All suspects are currently being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).

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"The detention for seven suspects will expire on May 14 while for the foreigners, it will end on May 15.

"As per procedure, a decision will be made whether to prosecute, release or deport (the foreign suspects) a week prior to the end of the detention," he told a press conference at Cheras district police headquarters on Wednesday (April 24).

Comm Rusdi also confirmed that one of the foreign suspects held a United States passport and entered the country as a tourist.

"We are still investigating further," he said.

It was reported that a total of 18 people were detained in connection with the Israeli suspect.

Three of them - Avitan and a local married couple - have since been charged while five others have been released.

So far, 10 individuals have been held under Sosma with investigation being conducted under Section 130v(1) of the Penal Code for organised crime.