Attorney-General Essam Eisa Al Humaidan said that the warrants were issued as per current UAE laws, including the International Judicial Cooperation Law on criminal issues, and UAE agreements with the declared home countries of the suspects.
He said that the UAE had the judicial cooperation agreement with many countries that allowed requests for extradition.
The announcement came even as the British and Irish passports used by the nine of the 11 suspected killers of Hamas commander Mahmoud Al Mabhouh last month were described as fake by the two respective governments.
The Dubai Police Chief, Lieutenant-General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, said that the Interpol had been alerted, but maintained that the arrests could take some time.
“We cannot tell at this stage,” he said. “If it is proved that there are other suspects, we will issue arrest warrants and (insist) that they be handed over to the UAE.”
Humaidan said that the prosecution began its probe immediately after the murder, ordered forensic investigation to establish cause of death, and took down testimonies.
Khalfan, stating that Dubai remained secure and that Mabhouh’s killing was only the second of its kind, maintained that the police could not prevent such internationally orchestrated crimes and that they could occur anywhere.
He further said that the slain Hamas leader had not informed the police about his arrival. The fact that he perceived a threat or needed protection was not made known either.
