By ANGELA DOLAND | AP

Published: Mar 8, 2010 22:32 Updated: Mar 8, 2010 22:32

PARIS: Interpol has issued an alert for 16 more suspects in connection with the January slaying of a Hamas commander in a Dubai hotel room, the international police organization said Monday.

The Lyon, France-based organization says it issued red notices, its highest-level alert, for a 16-strong team accused of shadowing Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh before his killing. The total number of people sought by Interpol notices in the case is now 27.

Of the newly listed suspects, only one had never before been identified by Dubai police. Interpol revealed his face and alias for the first time, releasing a photo of a smiling, dark-haired young man and listing his alias as Joshua Aaron Krycer. It did not give his age or nationality.

The group of 16 is believed to have assisted another team, which Interpol described as a "smaller core group alleged to have carried out the killing" and whose members already were sought through Interpol notices.

According to the Dubai police probe, the "second team, the members of which are now also subject of red notices, is believed to have aided and abetted the first team by closely watching, following and reporting Al-Mabhouh's movements from the moment he landed at Dubai airport until his murder on Jan. 19," Interpol said.

Interpol issued the alerts at the request of authorities in Dubai. Interpol had issued its first batch of 11 red notices in the case in February.

The methodical stalking and killing of Al-Mabhouh in a luxury hotel room has been widely blamed on Israel's Mossad spy agency. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

The statement from Interpol said police in Dubai have agreed to enter evidence - including DNA profiles - into Interpol's international databases. It also said that Interpol was to join a Dubai-based international task force on the killing. ¬