PETALING JAYA: Bangladesh has offered to help in any investigations after the arrest of 36 of its nationals over their alleged involvement in a radical militant network.
In a statement Saturday (July 5), the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said its government is closely monitoring developments and its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is in close communication with the relevant Malaysian authorities.
The ministry reiterates its firm stand against all forms of terrorism, violent extremism and militancy, while it remains ready to extend full cooperation to the Malaysian authorities in the matter.
"The Bangladesh High Commission extends any necessary support to expatriate Bangladeshis wherever needed."
Following the arrests, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry also said its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur had immediately engaged with the relevant Malaysian authorities and formally requested the identities of the individuals and information regarding the allegations against them.
It acknowledged that out of those arrested, five have been charged in Malaysian courts.
"The rest are in the process of either further investigation or deportation."
On Friday (July 4), Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said a recently dismantled Bangladeshi militant group was found collecting funds to support Islamic State (IS) cells in Syria and Bangladesh.
He revealed that intelligence gathering and investigations by the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division (E8) found that the group had amassed funds for IS activities in these countries.
