Suspected militancy: 4 deported from Malaysia placed on 4-day remand
ATU Inspector KM Tarikul Islam had sought seven days' remand for each, arguing that the suspects were involved in militant activities aimed at threatening national security
A Dhaka court has placed four individuals on a four-day remand following their arrest in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The arrestees — Nazrul Islam Sohag, Md Redoanul Islam, Zahid Ahmed, and Mahfuz — were recently deported from Malaysia over alleged links to Islamic State (IS)-affiliated militant networks.
Metropolitan Magistrate Minhazur Rahman passed the remand order today (8 July) after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence, according to court sources.
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Inspector KM Tarikul Islam of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU), also the case's investigating officer, had sought seven days' remand for each, arguing that the suspects were involved in militant activities aimed at threatening national security.
According to the remand petition, the accused conspired to carry out extremist operations, engaged in fundraising for banned militant organisations, and spread radical content — both in Bangladesh and abroad.
During the hearing, DMP Prosecution Division Sub-Inspector SM Bakhtiar Khaled told the court, "Thousands of crores of remittance come into Bangladesh through legal channels, but these individuals have attempted to undermine the country's reputation and security."
He reiterated the need for extended interrogation.
Defence lawyer Md Emdadul Haque and others opposed the remand, asserting that the accused were not involved in militancy and were wrongfully implicated.
In statements to the court, the accused pleaded innocence.
Accused Zahid Ahmed said he had been interrogated by Malaysian immigration and was cleared before deportation. "If I am guilty, I am ready to accept any punishment."
Redoanul Islam said he was arrested during a raid at a shared hostel but was not found with any incriminating material. The other two, Mahfuz and Sohag, also maintained they had no links to militancy.
After hearing all parties, the magistrate observed that further investigation is needed, particularly concerning individuals with confirmed militant ties. He instructed that interrogation be conducted in line with High Court directives and approved four days of remand for each accused.
Earlier, on 4 July, Malaysian authorities detained 36 Bangladeshis for suspected involvement with IS-linked networks. Three were deported and arrested upon arrival in Dhaka under Section 54 of the CrPC. Mahfuz, the fourth accused, was later arrested from his home in Muradnagar, Cumilla.
