A key suspect in the assassination of the Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was detained in a Western country two months ago, Dubai’s police chief says.

Lt. Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim told The National that the detainee played an important role in the killing of al-Mabhouh in January.

"The suspect who was arrested played a key role in the killing, but we were informed by the ambassador during a meeting that they did not wish to release the information," the Abu Dhabi government-owned newspaper quoted Tamim as saying on Sunday.

Tamim, who had helped bring to light details of the assassination of the senior Hamas official, did not reveal the identity of the suspect.

The commander, however, went on to say that the Western country that arrested the suspect wants to keep quiet about the details.

"I do not have an explanation for why they do not want to make it public, but there is a need for more transparency in this case. Why is it that every time an Israeli is involved in a crime, everyone goes mute?" Tamim asked.

"We want anyone who is dealing with this case to deal with it as security case, and not to pay attention to any other consideration," he added.

Tamim had earlier said investigations revealed that Mossad, Israel’s spy agency, was behind the assassination of al-Mabhouh.

The top Hamas official was killed in his hotel room on January 19, hours after he arrived in Dubai from Syria.

Dubai police say British, Irish, French, German and Australian passports were used by suspects involved in the assassination.

(Press TV)