12-4-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a case that has gripped the nation, Shalom Avitan, a 38-year-old alleged Israeli hitman, has been charged at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur with possession of six pistols and 158 bullets. The charges, which Avitan has pleaded not guilty to, carry grave consequences – the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment under Section 7 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act for trafficking firearms, and a potential seven-year jail term or a RM10,000 fine under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act for possession of firearms or ammunition.
As the charges were read out in English, the courtroom fell silent, the gravity of the situation palpable. Bail was denied for Avitan, and the next mention of the case was set for May 21.
After the brief hearing, Avitan was swiftly led away to a waiting police truck and convoy, which departed the court complex around 10:50 am, underscoring the high-profile nature of the case and the need for tight security measures.
The arrest of the purported Israeli assassin on March 27 at a hotel in Jalan Ampang, where he was found in possession of six pistols – including a Sig Sauer, two Glocks, and a Smith & Wesson – and 200 bullets, has sent shockwaves through the nation. According to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), during interrogation, Avitan allegedly confessed to entering Malaysia with the intention of killing a fellow Israeli over a family dispute.
The revelation of such a brazen alleged plot unfolding on Malaysian soil has prompted a wide-ranging investigation, with a total of 16 individuals having been detained in connection with the case thus far. Among those apprehended were a local married couple, aged 40 and 42, who are accused of selling the pistols to the Israeli, as well as another man who reportedly served as Avitan’s driver.
