PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian lawyer for Zakir Naik has questioned a news report that Indian authorities have submitted documents to extradite the controversial preacher, dismissing it as part of the media’s “Islamophobic” campaign.
“If there is a proper charge sheet filed against Dr Zakir Naik, we would want to have a copy of it. It is only the media in India which is speaking without proof against him,” Shaharudin Ali who represents Naik told FMT.
Yesterday, the Times of India reported that India’s foreign affairs ministry had submitted relevant documents, completing a legal process to demand Naik’s extradition from Malaysia, where he has been granted permanent residence status.
The report said a court in Kuala Lumpur could hear India’s request.
Shaharudin said his client would challenge any charge sheet against him in the event Malaysia decided to deport him, adding that Naik has not been convicted in India or anywhere.
“The media is Islamophobic against him because of his popularity,” he said, and referred to Naik’s 17.5 million followers on Facebook.
Authorities in India have been seeking Naik’s return to question him on charges of money laundering and spreading extremism.
Naik’s missionary outfit Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and his satellite television channel PeaceTV are banned in India and Bangladesh.
Last November, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Putrajaya was prepared to deport Naik if there was a request from New Delhi.
Naik fled India on July 1, 2016, amid reports that he had inspired a group of youths who carried out a terror attack in Bangladesh.
The preacher currently lives in the administrative capital Putrajaya. -FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.