Architect, technician jailed two years over IS involvement

Mohd Syafrein (front) and Mohamad Yusoffe.

KUALA LUMPUR: An architect and a technician received two years jail for attempting to support the Islamic State movement.

Mohd Syafrein Rasid and Mohamad Yusoffe, both are 27, were arrested at KL International Airport last year as they were trying to leave the country to support IS in Syria.

High Court judge Justice Kamardin Hashim ordered Syafrein and Yusoffe to serve their jail term beginning from the date of arrest on Sept 25, 2014.

According to the statement of facts, the accused became interested in issues revolving around Muslims' struggles in the Middle East and Africa and decided to learn more about the religion.

They started looking for references from the internet and social media sites where they found netizens who influenced them to joining other IS supporters.

Apart from Facebook, What’sApp chat rooms, namely ‘Jihad Fisabilillah’ and ‘Melancong2’, served as a mean of connecting and sharing their ideas about the IS movement.

 Both expressed their support and willingness to die a martyr for IS.  Yusoffe had even told his mother and his family members that he was going to join the fight in Syria.

The duo was about to board their flight to Istanbul via Qatar Airways at KL International Airport here at 8.55am on Sept 25 last year when they were arrested.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Shahruddin Wan Ladin urged the court to give a deterrent punishment which drew murmurs from the duo’s family members.

 “A deterrent punishment is needed to prevent fighters and future fighters from going to Syria and become national threats when they return home and become lone-wolves and commit violent acts,” he said.