Malaysia arrests 14 ISIS militants, including 3 key figures, Latest Others News - The New Paper
News

Malaysia arrests 14 ISIS militants, including 3 key figures

This article is more than 12 months old

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria's (ISIS) main recruiters in Malaysia were among the 14 suspected militants arrested earlier this week, Malaysian authorities said late on Wednesday.

The three Malaysians played different roles in promoting, recruiting and financing trips to Syria, the police said in a statement.

The arrests on Monday and Tuesday included an assistant director from Malaysia’s ministry of energy, green technology and water.

The suspect, whose task was to fund trips for recruits to enter Syria, is linked to three wanted Abu Sayyaf militants.

Abu Sayyaf is a terror group based in the Philippines

Upload propaganda material

Another main recruiter who was arrested is a 34-year-old who fought in Syria for four months before returning to the country in April this year.

The suspect’s role was to guide, encourage and share experiences with aspiring militants, said police.

The third person, a 37-year-old, used a Facebook account to promote propaganda material and recruited female university students to be sent to Syria.

Malaysia has arrested 37 suspects tied to ISIS since April.

The authorities estimate that at least 30 Malaysians have left for Syria and at least 15 have died in Syria while fighting for the terrorist organisation.

The arrests this week also included a 14-year-old high school student and a family of five.

Source: Reuters

malaysiaISISIslamic StateUncategorisedSyriaarrest