Hamas-slaying suspect freed on bail in Germany after extradition

Aug 13, 2010, 16:16 GMT

Cologne, Germany - A suspected Israeli intelligence agent wanted for alleged involvement in the killing of a Hamas leader in Dubai has been released on bail in Germany, prosecutors said Friday.

Brodsky was extradited from Poland and arrived in Germany on Thursday, where he is being investigated for passport fraud in relation to the killing of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a Hamas commander who was murdered by suspected Israeli agents in January.

Cologne prosecutor Rainer Wolf said that the case against Brodsky was not strong enough to detain him further. He was bailed for an undisclosed sum, and was free to travel, Wolf said.

Investigations by the prosecution are to continue while Brodsky is free, but only into the passport fraud allegations and not into espionage charges, as stipulated in the extradition agreement.

Brodksy's lawyer told the German Press Agency dpa on Thursday that he faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

If Brodsky leaves the country and then returns, it is possible he could be indicted on the more serious espionage charges, which could result in up to five years jail time.

The Mabhouh murder sparked international outrage, as several nations' citizens including Germany, Ireland and France, had their identities stolen by the team that had travelled to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to carry out the killing.

Brodsky, so far the only individual arrested in connection with the killing, was arrested at Warsaw airport on June 4, under a European arrest warrant requested by Germany.

Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was a senior leader of the Hamas militant Islamist movement that currently controls the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

Brodsky is suspected of helping to acquire a German passport, used in the killing operation, from Cologne authorities in early 2009.