PETALING JAYA: The assassination target of the Israeli man found with a cache of guns had been caught during the latest rounds of arrests, according to local news reports.

       The man, who had been identified previously by Israeli media as Eran Haya, was apparently among those caught by police in raids in Johor and Kuala Lumpur previously.

       It was reported that Eran, a Turkish and American, had entered the country in February using a Polish passport.

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       When contacted, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that the police were looking into the matter without confirming Eran's arrest.

       "It is still under the investigation of police," he said.

       Previously on April 5, the IGP said that 12 more people had been detained in raids conducted by a team from Bukit Aman CID, KL police and the Special Branch.

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       He told The Star then that among the arrested were two Turkish nationals aged 29 and 40 and a Georgian man aged 39 years old.

       "A few started their remand on Thursday (April 4), while others began today (Friday, April 5). All of them were remanded for seven days.

       "The investigation to uncover the motive and real reason behind Avitan coming to the country and acquiring six pistols is still ongoing.

       "We are in the midst of completing the investigation with the focus of uncovering the motive," the IGP had said.

       The IGP had said police were taking into account the fact he had entered Malaysia during Ramadan and could have been planning an attack during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.