KUALA LUMPUR – Three Bangladeshi men deported from Malaysia have been detained by counterterrorism authorities in Dhaka, after they were accused of involvement in a militant group allegedly linked to Islamic State (IS).
The trio was taken into custody on Friday by Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) upon arrival and remanded the same day under Section 54 of the country’s Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows arrest without warrant for suspected cognisable offences.
“The process of filing cases against them is currently under way,” said Deputy Inspector General Akkas Uddin Bhuiyan, acting ATU chief, according to bdnews24. Authorities are still verifying the men’s backgrounds.
The three were among 36 Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Malaysia between April and June as part of a major crackdown by the Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division.
Malaysian police believe the men were part of the “Gerakan Militan Radikal Bangladesh” (GMRB), a network of Bangladeshi migrant workers allegedly involved in spreading extremist ideology and funnelling funds to IS cells in Syria and Bangladesh, according to reports.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the suspects operated across various sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and services.
“They used WhatsApp and Telegram to recruit members and disseminate IS content,” he was reported as saying on Friday.
Authorities believe the group had between 100 and 150 members, each contributing around RM500 annually, with additional donations transferred via e-wallets and international remittance services. Investigators are still determining the total amount of funds channelled abroad.
Five suspects have been charged in Malaysian courts in Shah Alam, Selangor, and Johor. 16 remain under investigation, while 15, including the three now in Bangladeshi custody, are being deported.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail first disclosed the arrests on June 27, saying the group aimed to promote IS ideology in Malaysia and destabilise the Bangladeshi government through internal recruitment cells.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry has since confirmed that its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is in close contact with Malaysian authorities and has formally requested details on those arrested.
“Bangladesh reiterates its firm stand against all forms of terrorism, violent extremism, and militancy, and remains ready to extend full cooperation to Malaysian authorities,” it said.
Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain told reporters the government would assess the deportees’ alleged involvement once further details are received.
“If they were involved in serious wrongdoing, they should face punishment,” he said. – July 6, 2025
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