Vienna: Austrian authorities are investigating whether the killers of a top Hamas militant in Dubai used Austrian phone numbers to plan their hit, the Interior Minister said on Thursday.
"I can confirm that the national security and counter-terrorism bureau (BVT) is conducting investigations," ministry spokesman Rudolf Gollia said.
"Apparently Austrian phone numbers were used," he said. "But we can't say anything further. The investigations are underway and we're in contact with Dubai police," Gollia said.
He would not comment on whether Austrian SIM cards were used or only phone numbers -- which Austrian phone companies can sell to a foreign provider -- nor whether these numbers were bought in Austria or how many were used.
The investigation by the Austrian authorities began on Monday, he said.
Media reports today said the killers of Mahmud al-Mabhuh had used seven Austrian SIM cards or phone numbers while preparing their operation.
At least one Austrian SIM card was used in planning the Mumbai attacks of November 2008, although no evidence was ever found that the attacks had actually been planned in Austria.
The 50-year-old Mabhuh, a top militant of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which rules Gaza, was found dead on January 20, apparently killed by an 11-person hit squad using fake European passports, although Dubai police insist the passports were real.
Fingers have been pointed at Israel's Mossad intelligence services as being behind the killing.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 16:08