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Malaysian police jail five more Islamic militants
Five more suspected members of an Islamic extremist group were sent to a prison camp for two years without trial, bringing the total to 14 jailed in an ongoing government crackdown, police said on Saturday.
Five more suspected members of an Islamic extremist group were sent to a prison camp for two years without trial, bringing the total to 14 jailed in an ongoing government crackdown, police said on Saturday.
Authorities claim the detainees are members of a militant Islamic group with links to Osama bin Laden's network in Afghanistan. The government says the group wanted to topple Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government and establish a hardline Islamic state in the Malay Archipelago.
Bin Laden is the US government's prime suspect in the September 11 terrorist attacks and a target of the US-led bombardment of Afghanistan.
Since August, police have detained at least 19 suspected members of the group under the internal security act, a colonial-era law which allows the government to detain people indefinitely with out trial. Authorities believe the group had about 68 members nation prior to the crackdown. In October, the government ordered nine of the suspects to be held at the Kamunting detention camp, 250 kms north of Kuala Lumpur, for at least two years.
On Saturday, police said another five of those arrested would be sent to Kamunting, also for two years.
The five have been detained...For their alleged involvement in militant activities, which can threaten the security of the country, a statement issued by police said.
Bureau Report
Bin Laden is the US government's prime suspect in the September 11 terrorist attacks and a target of the US-led bombardment of Afghanistan.
Since August, police have detained at least 19 suspected members of the group under the internal security act, a colonial-era law which allows the government to detain people indefinitely with out trial. Authorities believe the group had about 68 members nation prior to the crackdown. In October, the government ordered nine of the suspects to be held at the Kamunting detention camp, 250 kms north of Kuala Lumpur, for at least two years.
On Saturday, police said another five of those arrested would be sent to Kamunting, also for two years.
The five have been detained...For their alleged involvement in militant activities, which can threaten the security of the country, a statement issued by police said.
Bureau Report