A Malaysian court sentenced 39-year-old Israeli man, Shalom Avitan, to seven years in prison after he pleaded guilty to carrying six guns and dozens of bullets. Avitan was arrested in March 2024 at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, where he was found with the weapons. He was charged with unauthorized trafficking and possession of firearms, while a married Malaysian couple was accused of supplying him with the weapons.
Avitan claimed he was in Malaysia to hunt down another Israeli citizen due to a family dispute. However, given that Malaysia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations, authorities investigated whether Avitan was involved in an Israeli crime ring or potentially working as a spy.
Avitan had entered Malaysia from the United Arab Emirates on a French passport and was detained by police on March 27, 2024, after being found with the weapons. When questioned, he produced an Israeli passport.
