Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has clarified that the three Bangladeshi nationals recently returned from Malaysia were not deported on terrorism charges but rather due to the expiration of their visas.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the cargo complex at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday morning, the adviser stated that the Malaysian authorities have not officially informed the Bangladesh government of any militant links concerning the returnees.
“These individuals were sent back primarily because their visas had expired,” he said. “We have not received any formal communication from Malaysia regarding their involvement in terrorism. The matter is being investigated, and we are in contact with the Malaysian government.”
In response to reports that the Inspector General of Police in Malaysia alleged the arrested individuals were collecting funds for the terrorist group ISIS in Bangladesh, the adviser responded, “There is no terrorism in Bangladesh at present.
There is no evidence connecting those arrested in Malaysia to any militant activities here. The only official message we have received is about visa violations.”
He emphasized the absence of extremist activity in the country, noting, “In the past 10 months, you—the media—have not reported any terrorist incidents. With your cooperation, we have successfully eradicated terrorism in Bangladesh.”
Meanwhile, court documents in Bangladesh indicate that the three individuals returned from Malaysia were suspected of militant involvement during their stay there.
Authorities have claimed they were connected to a terrorist organization and potentially posed a threat in both Bangladesh and other countries.
The suspects were sent to prison by court order, and initial questioning has reportedly yielded some information related to terrorism. A formal case is being filed based on that evidence, according to the Anti-Terrorism Unit.
Malaysian authorities earlier reported that 36 Bangladeshi nationals had been arrested in an anti-terrorism operation.
Among them, five were formally charged under Section 6A of the Malaysian Penal Code, while 15 are to be repatriated and 16 remain in Malaysian police custody.
The adviser further noted that only those with proven links to terrorism remain in Malaysian custody, while others are being sent back.
Regarding the remarks made by Malaysian police, he reiterated that no terror-related activity currently exists in Bangladesh and that no direct link has been established between the returnees and any domestic militant group.
During the airport inspection, the adviser also spoke about the launch of a cold storage facility at the new terminal.
He said the initiative will support the export of agricultural products. He also visited the airport’s export cargo village and BADC’s cold storage facility.
