anyuser
23-02-2010, 01:19 PM
Fake British passports used by assassins who killed a leading Hamas commander were allegedly duplicated from the originals by airport officials in Tel Aviv.
video:http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100221/video/vwl-hit-squad-passports-copied-at-airpor-89eb865.html
The Sunday Telegraph claims staff at the Israeli airport made copies of the documents after they were taken from six British citizens during routine checks.
And it has emerged that at least two more fake Irish passports have been linked to the alleged hit squad in Dubai. It brings the number of fake Irish passports to seven.
Emirati officials also said some of the 18 suspects visited the Gulf city-state for a reconnaissance mission at least once before the January 19 killing.
The Foreign Office has told Sky News that speculation on the matter is not appropriate before an investigation is complete.
A spokesman added: "The defrauding of British passports is a very serious issue.
"The Government will continue to take all the action that is necessary to protect British nationals from identity fraud."
The identities were apparently used by members of the team who allegedly assassinated Mahmoud al Mabhouh in Dubai.
The Hamas commander was found dead in his luxury hotel room on January 20.
Interpol issued "red notices" for 11 suspects in the killing, while Dubai's police chief pointed the finger of blame at Mossad, Israel's secret service.
The cloned passports belonging to British-Israelis and Irish citizens were used by the alleged hit squad.
Questions have been raised over how the passports were forged amid deep suspicion of Israeli involvement.
The country has neither confirmed nor denied whether Mossad was involved, instead saying there was no evidence of a link to Israel.
"I don't predict a crisis with European allies because there is nothing that ties Israel to the assassination," the office of deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon said.
The six 'real' Britons - all of whom live in Israel - have been offered new passports to stop them being arrested by Interpol.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100221/twl-hit-squad-passports-copied-at-airpor-3fd0ae9.html
video:http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100221/video/vwl-hit-squad-passports-copied-at-airpor-89eb865.html
The Sunday Telegraph claims staff at the Israeli airport made copies of the documents after they were taken from six British citizens during routine checks.
And it has emerged that at least two more fake Irish passports have been linked to the alleged hit squad in Dubai. It brings the number of fake Irish passports to seven.
Emirati officials also said some of the 18 suspects visited the Gulf city-state for a reconnaissance mission at least once before the January 19 killing.
The Foreign Office has told Sky News that speculation on the matter is not appropriate before an investigation is complete.
A spokesman added: "The defrauding of British passports is a very serious issue.
"The Government will continue to take all the action that is necessary to protect British nationals from identity fraud."
The identities were apparently used by members of the team who allegedly assassinated Mahmoud al Mabhouh in Dubai.
The Hamas commander was found dead in his luxury hotel room on January 20.
Interpol issued "red notices" for 11 suspects in the killing, while Dubai's police chief pointed the finger of blame at Mossad, Israel's secret service.
The cloned passports belonging to British-Israelis and Irish citizens were used by the alleged hit squad.
Questions have been raised over how the passports were forged amid deep suspicion of Israeli involvement.
The country has neither confirmed nor denied whether Mossad was involved, instead saying there was no evidence of a link to Israel.
"I don't predict a crisis with European allies because there is nothing that ties Israel to the assassination," the office of deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon said.
The six 'real' Britons - all of whom live in Israel - have been offered new passports to stop them being arrested by Interpol.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20100221/twl-hit-squad-passports-copied-at-airpor-3fd0ae9.html