KL refuses to free Nik Adli

KL refuses to free Nik Adli

MALAYSIA: The son of the spiritual leader of Malaysia's Islamic opposition party lost a court battle on Thursday against his detention without trial on suspicion of militant activities.

The Kota Baru high court in the eastern state of Kelantan dismissed a "habeas corpus" application to free Nik Adli Nik Abdul Aziz, saying his arrest under the Internal Security Act (ISA) was valid and legal.

His lawyers immediately filed an appeal against the judgment.

Nik Adli, a 34-year-old teacher at a religious school, was arrested under the draconian ISA in August on suspicion of being the ringleader of an Islamic militant group waging a "holy war" here.

He was among 10 people detained for allegedly being members of the so-called Malaysian Mujahideen Group, blamed for a spate of crimes including bombing a church and temple. -- AFP