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| Bangladesh |
| Faisal now admits ownership of arms |
| 2009-04-16 |
| [Bangla Daily Star] Bangladesh-born British citizen Faisal Mostafa who initially denied having any firearms and ammunition seized from Green Crescent Madrasa in Bhola admitted that he owns some of the firearms. "Initially Faisal told us that he does not know anything about the firearms and ammunition but now he admitted to have some of the arms," said an investigator tasked with investigating the arms haul from the madrasa at Ramkeshob village in Borhanuddin upazila. Investigators, however, suspected that Faisal, now on a 10-day remand, stockpiled all the firearms, ammunition and explosives either to train up militants or to supply those arms and explosives for militant attacks. Investigators have already found Faisal's close links with banned Islamist outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh. Faisal had met executed JMB supremo Shaekh Abdur Rahman several times, and kept in contact with Saidur Rahman, now-on-the-run boss of the militant organisation. "We suspect him as a high-profile militant. He has knowledge about most of the militant attacks in Bangladesh," the investigator said wishing anonymity. Faisal, founder of the madrasa, and his close associate Hassan Saifuddin Badal, who was also taken on a 10-day remand, were sent to Borhanuddin yesterday as their current remand will expire today. The investigator said the duo might be produced before a Bhola court today. He said fresh remand would be sought for them for further interrogation. Faisal, founder of Green Crescent charity and NGO, was picked up along with his close associate Badal from Pubail in Gazipur on April 6 in connection with the arms haul from his madrasa. On March 24, Rapid Action Battalion unearthed the 'mini-ammunition factory' inside the madrasa-cum-orphanage and seized 10 firearms, 2,500 bullets, 3,000 grenade ball splinters, 200 gram gun powder, different parts of ammunition and 72 books on jihad, Abul Ala Maududi and Osama bin Laden. |
| Posted by:Fred |