3 Bangladeshis sent to jail after deportation from Malaysia over militant ties

A Dhaka court sent to jail three Bangladeshis who were detained in Malaysia and deported over alleged links to an Islamic State (IS)-affiliated militant network. 

The court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate M Mizbah Ur Rahman passed the order today (5 July), confirmed Airport Police Station Prosecution Sub-Inspector Bakhtiar Ahmed.

Earlier, the three were arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) by members of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) upon their arrival in the country.

The individuals' names were withheld, pending further information.

Yesterday (4 July), Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said 36 Bangladeshis, mostly labourers working in factories, construction, and petrol stations, had been taken into custody between April and June in connection with an IS-linked cell operating across the country.

The network allegedly recruited members via social media, extorted annual membership fees, and raised funds through e-wallets and remittance services for IS operations in Syria and Bangladesh.

At the time, five suspects were formally charged in Malaysian courts, 15 were slated for deportation, and 16 remained in custody for further investigation.

Although the group was not planning attacks in Malaysia, it used the country as a base to raise funds and recruitment, according to Malaysian police. Investigations are ongoing with support from Bangladeshi authorities and Interpol.

Mohd Khalid said police initially detected the group's activities through social media accounts operated by Bangladeshi nationals using Malaysian IP addresses to spread IS ideology.

According to Malaysian authorities, the first phase of the operation, conducted on 28 April, led to the arrest of six individuals in Selangor and revealed the structure of GMRB, which was based in Johor.

The second phase resulted in 14 more arrests in Johor, including the group's leader.

The third and final phase, conducted from 19 to 21 June, saw the arrest of another 16 individuals, effectively dismantling GMRB's main network operating in Malaysia.

Mohd Khalid said suspects found to have minimal involvement in the group's activities will be deported to their home countries.

In response, the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement today, assuring full cooperation with Malaysian authorities and confirming close engagement via the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

The statement further pledged necessary consular support for those affected and reiterated Bangladesh's zero‑tolerance stance against terrorism, violent extremism, and militancy.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain revealed that Dhaka had requested detailed information about the suspects and would verify the allegations before pursuing any punitive action.