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Malaysia Arrests 14 Suspected Islamist Militants


Map of Malaysia
Map of Malaysia

Malaysian police say three recruiters for the Islamic State group were among 14 people recently arrested in an anti-terror sweep.

The Southeast Asian nation has now arrested at least 36 people with suspected links to the group, which controls parts of Iraq and Syria.

Malaysian police say at least three suspects arrested this week are believed to be part of a cell that recruits and helps sends fighters to Syria.

They include an assistant director at Malaysia's Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry, who police say sponsored Muslims headed to Syria and had links with the Abu Sayyaf militant group.

Police say another 34-year-old suspect fought in Syria for four months before returning in April to Malaysia, where he mentored aspiring militants.

Another 37-year-old suspect was said to have managed a jihadist Facebook page and allegedly tried to recruit female university students.

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