Malaysia arrests 16 for suspected militant links
Malaysian police said on October 9 that they have arrested 16 people for suspected links to militant groups, including the Islamic State (IS), after a two-week operation across the country.
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| Police officers examine a police post where an explosion went off in Jakarta, Indonesia. |
Malaysian police said in a statement that fourteen were arrested for suspected links to IS and channeling funds to Muhammad Wanndy Muhammad Jedi – a militant accused of making a grenade attack in Puchong, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur in June.
Another suspect, a Malaysian student, was arrested on arrival at Kuala Lumpur international airport. Police said he had travelled to Istanbul intending to enter Syria, but was detained by Turkish authorities at the request of Malaysian police.
Police also said they arrested a citizen of a North African country for suspected links to Jahbat Al Nusra, an Islamic group in Syria.
Authorities in Muslim-majority Malaysia have been on high alert since IS-linked militants carried out an armed attack in the capital of neighbouring Indonesia in January.
In late August, Malaysian police arrested three local supporters of IS who had allegedly been planning several attacks in Kuala Lumpur ahead of Malaysian Independence Day.
A total of 230 people, including 200 Malaysians, were arrested between 2013 and early August this year for involvement in militant activities.
