Palestinian lecturer gunned down in KL, family says it’s Mossad
They shot him at least 10 times
THE assassins, who waited 20 minutes for Dr Fadi M.R. Albatsh, fired at least 10 rounds in quick succession when he finally showed up. His family is convinced the Israeli intelligence agency is behind the cold-blooded murder.
FOR 20 minutes, they waited patiently, knowing full well that their victim would be walking by on his way to the nearby surau for subuh prayers.
It was his norm, and the men appeared to know it. It seemed to have all the makings of a wellplanned hit.
The two men, astride their superbike, waited for the Palestinian private university lecturer along the road in front of Idaman Puteri condominium in Setapak.
As he walked by, one of the two men opened fire, at least 10 rounds spitting out of his sidearm. The victim, Dr Fadi M.R. Albatsh, crumpled to the ground, killed instantly.
City police chief Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said closed-circuit television (CCTV) cam- era footage showed that Fadi, who was also the second imam of Surau Medan Idaman, had clearly been targeted by the assassins.
He said the footage showed the killers arrived on a BMW GS dual purpose off-road/on-road motorcycle and wore full-face helmets.
“The CCTV footage showed two other residents walking pass the suspects before the victim appeared about 20 minutes later.
“One of the suspects opened fire from point blank range and killed him on the spot. He was shot in the body and head,” he said, adding that police were identifying the registration number of the gunmen’s motorcycle.
He said the victim was supposed to lead subuh prayers at the surau. The shooting occurred about 6am.
Police have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting, with city police Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Rusdi Mohd Isa being appointed the lead investigator.
Mazlan said: “We are investigating every angle, including terrorism. However, initial investigations showed that the victim did not have any financial issues or known enemies.
“We will be recording statements from his family, friends and co-workers to get more information... It is too early to jump to a conclusion that the case involves terrorism.”
The victim, who had been living in Malaysia for 10 years, leaves behind a wife and three children.
His body was sent to Selayang Hospital for a post-mortem.
Palestinian ambassador to Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines and Maldives Datuk Dr Anwar H. Al Agha said Fadi was a Universiti Malaya graduate and was supposed to leave for Turkey for a conference today.
“He was a kind, friendly and quiet person. He mixed well with everyone.
“He was working as an electrical engineering lecturer at a private university.”
A witness, who wished to be known only as Wong, said he heard loud sounds similar to firecrackers being let off about 6am.
“I did not expect it to be a murder. It was dark outside, but I heard the sound of a motorcycle engine outside for at least 10 minutes, followed by the loud noise.”