36 Bangladeshis held in Malaysia over militant ties, says minister

A security operation detained the Bangladeshi nationals, who allegedly have ties to a movement based on Islamic State beliefs, over the course of a week

Malaysian police have detained 36 Bangladeshi nationals who were “found to be directly involved in a radical militant movement based on Islamic State (IS) extremist beliefs and violent ideology”, reports Malaysian outlet Straits Times.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the publication that the security raid was carried out in three phases in Selangor and Johor in three phases since Apr 24.

"Of those detained, five people have been charged under the Offences Relating to Terrorism (Chapter VIA) of the Penal Code in the Shah Alam and Johor Baru Sessions Courts.

"Another 15 people have been issued deportation orders, while 16 others are still under investigation for their involvement in the militant movement," he said in a statement.

Intelligence collected by the Special Branch revealed the group had introduced IS-inspired ideology to Malaysia and had formed recruitment cells within the Bangladeshi community there, Saifuddin said.

"These cells were set up to indoctrinate radical beliefs, raise funds for terrorist activities, and to ultimately overthrow the legitimate government in their home country," he said.