Uri Brodsky, arrested by Poland in June on suspicion of involvement in the killing of Hamas terrorist leader Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh in Dubai, landed in Israel Saturday night. He was extradited to Germany in early August on charges of having forged a German passport for the killing, but a German court ordered his release on bail on Friday.
Brodsky is not assumed to be his real name.
The release has made international headlines after the United Arab Emirates announced its “concern” over Germany’s decision to free him. Abdurahim al-Awadhi, assistant to the UAE’s foreign minister for legal affairs, expressed "concern that Brodsky has been released on bail and granted the freedom to return to Israel while the case against him continues.”
The UAE, which borders Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Persian Gulf, even took the diplomatic step of seeking “clarification… from the German government on the Brodsky case… The UAE expects full and close cooperation from the German authorities, and will continue to pursue the matter through diplomatic channels.”
The decision process to extradite Brodsky from Poland to Germany was a protracted one. It is now believed that a secret deal was being reached during that time, according to which Germany would free Brodsky to Israel, but would serve jail time, if sentenced, in Germany. Though the maximum sentence for the charges against him is three years, it is believed that he will be fined and not sentenced to prison.
Mabhouh was wanted by Israel, Egypt and Jordan at the time of his death. He was involved in smuggling weapons and explosives into Gaza, played a key role in forging links between Hamas and Iranian fighters, and played a key role in the infamous kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldiers Ilan Saadon and Avi Sasportas in 1988.
Several countries believe that the Mossad, the Israeli equivalent of the CIA, was behind his killing, though Israel has not accepted responsibility. Dubai police say 26 forged passports were used by various suspects to track and kill Mabhouh. Australia, Britain, France and Ireland have all registered protests against Israel on this matter, though do not appear to have pursued the matter.
In a non-related item, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to Washington said at a conference last month, "A military attack on Iran by whomever would be a disaster, but Iran with a nuclear weapon would be a bigger disaster."