Australia's spy agencies to probe al-Mabhouh assassination

Australia’s spy agencies to probe al-Mabhouh assassination

Country’s intelligence agencies to investigate alleged use of forged Australian passports in the killing of the Hamas operative in Dubai.

April 11, 2010 8:02 by kippreport

Australia’s two spy agencies are investigating the alleged use of fake Australian passports in the murder of Hamas operative Mahmud al-Mabhouh in Dubai.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said he needed “further advice” about the case after a police probe failed to yield enough answers, according to a report by AFP.

“It’s clear from a preliminary assessment of that report that I need to get further advice and see further work and have further discussion with other agencies,” Smith told the Nine Network TV station, quoted by AFP.

“I want to make sure that we get this right. I need further work done by our intelligence agencies and I’m going to get this right rather than rush it in any way,” he added. “It’s a very important issue.”

Smith said both the Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service were now investigating.