Five individuals nabbed for terrorism activities

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KUALA LUMPUR: Five individuals, including a Malaysian Volunteer Department (Rela) member, were detained on suspicion of involvement in terrorism activities.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said they were arrested in a special operation by the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Unit around Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Johor from Nov 17 to Dec 1.

He said the other four detained were foreign nationals involving a part-time teacher, a student, a technician and a mechanic.

“A 44-year-old European who worked as a part-time English teacher in Penang was detained on suspicion of joining the al-Qaeda terrorist group and involvement in terrorism activities in Afghanistan and Bosnia.

“Meanwhile, an African student in Petaling Jaya, Selangor was nabbed as he was suspected to be involved with terrorism activities,” he said in a statement here, yesterday. Both were detained under the Immigrations Act 1959/63 for deportation, he said.

Meanwhile, a 25-year-old Bangladeshi technician was also apprehended on suspicion of planning to perform jihad by joining the IS militants in Syria.

He was detained together with an Indonesian national and a 59-year-old Rela member. The trio was detained as they were suspected of committing offences under chapter VIA – Offences Related to Terrorism, Act 574 Penal Code and will be investigated following the procedure under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Act 747).

“The Rela member was detained in Kota Bharu, Kelantan and is suspected of having ties with the IS. The suspect, who worked as a tailor, is believed to be responsible for recruiting and arranging the members’ involvement in terrorism activities abroad.

“Meanwhile, the Indonesian national, 31, believed to be a cell chief, was detained in Johor. The suspect had pledged loyalty to Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi, the IS leader, via Facebook in the middle of last year,” he said.

The suspect was also believed to be acting as a facilitator, to make arrangements for individuals from Malaysia and several Southeast Asian countries aspiring to join IS in Syria and several terrorist groups in the Southeast Asian region, he added. — Bernama