Fourth Aussie passport used in murder

A FOURTH Australian passport is believed to have been used fraudulently in connection with the murder of senior Hamas operator Mahmud al-Mabhuh in a Dubai hotel in January.

Last month, Australian authorities confirmed they believed three Australian passports had been fraudulently used by the team of assassins, who stole the identities of the people involved.

Dubai police say they are almost certain Israel was behind the assassination.

Australia summoned the Israeli ambassador to discuss the passport issue, sparking tension in the bilateral relationship.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has confirmed a fourth Australian passport was believed to have been used in relation to the murder.

The passport was in the name of Joshua Krycer.

Australian authorities contacted him on March 3; it is believed that like the other three passport-holders, he was a victim of identity fraud.

Mr Smith said Australian officials were contacted on February 26 about Mr Krycer's passport. They did not go public with the case for privacy and operational reasons, he said, but had changed tack because Mr Krycer's name was now in the public domain.