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Malaysia police arrest 14 for Islamic State ties

"Militancy and terrorism have no place in this country" Malaysia's national police chief announced following the arrests of 14 people for suspected links to the Islamic State.

By JC Finley
Malaysia's Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar announced the arrests of 14 people suspected of ties to the Islamic State. (UPI/Government of Malaysia)
Malaysia's Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar announced the arrests of 14 people suspected of ties to the Islamic State. (UPI/Government of Malaysia)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Malaysian police arrested 14 people over a three-day counter-terrorism operation that began Monday.

The arrested, between the ages of 14 and 48, included three alleged "prime movers in a cell responsible for recruiting, financing and arranging travel of Malaysian citizens to join terror groups in Syria," Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement.

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"They were arrested based on police surveillance on their preparation to head for Syria via Turkey," Khalid noted. The operation included a raid on a restaurant in Shah Alam near Kuala Lumpur.

A total of 36 people have been arrested for suspected links to the Islamic State since April, Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency reported.

Khalid reiterated that "Militancy and terrorism have no place in this country," adding that authorities were "constantly monitoring these kinds of activities."

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