Malaysia: Bangladeshis detained over IS connections

The Malaysian Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, has confirmed that many of the 36 Bangladeshis arrested for their alleged involvement in a radical militant movement inspired by the Islamic State (IS) ideology are currently being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA). Some have already been repatriated, while the remainder are under investigation. The arrests were made as part of an anti-terrorism operation that began on 24 April in the states of Selangor and Johor. The Home Affairs Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, confirmed the operation, stating that all of those arrested were Bangladeshi nationals and that no Malaysians were involved. According to the minister, the militant cell was uncovered by the Royal Malaysian Police Special Branch, which identified extremist propaganda activities linked to IS ideology.