Author: Jonathan Kent
Publication: BBC News
Date: November 11, 2003
URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3259339.stm
Thirteen Malaysian students suspected
of involvement with Islamic militant groups have been detained upon their
arrival home following their deportation from Pakistan.
The 13 were arrested in Karachi
in September along with the younger brother of Hambali - the Indonesian
man alleged to have masterminded the Bali bombings.
The group is being held under Malaysia's
internal security act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial
or charge.
The thirteen were studying at Islamic
colleges in Pakistan when they were originally arrested, apparently on
the strength of information provided by Hambali.
Prior to his arrest in Thailand
in August, he was allegedly the operations chief for the militant network
said to be responsible for bombings in Bali and Jakarta.
The Malaysian authorities say Hambali's
younger brother was grooming the students to become future militant leaders.
He was one of a number of Indonesians
also arrested in Pakistan.
No-one charged
The fathers of four of the students
are already in detention in Malaysia, according to local media reports.
More than 90 people alleged to have
links to militant groups have been detained here in the last two-and-a-half
years.
None has been charged or brought
to court.
Under Malaysia's internal security
act police can hold suspects for up to 60days.
Thereafter they can be detained
indefinitely on the authority of the Home Minister.
That post has been held by Malaysia's
new prime minister, Abdullah Badawi, for the last four years.
