Channel News Asia, Singapore
The last two of six Bangladeshi nationals accused of plotting to finance terror attacks in their home country were sentenced to between 24 months and 30 months jail on Tuesday (Aug 30).
The men, 34-year-old Zzaman Daulat and 30-year-old Mamun Leakot Ali pleaded guilty on Tuesday afternoon, after earlier denying charges brought against them under the
new Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act (TSOFA). Zzaman was sentenced to 24 months, while Mamun was sentenced to 30 months behind bars.
They had been detained along with six other radicalised Bangladeshi nationals under the Internal Security Act in April for planning to topple their government back home. They previously denied the charges brought against them under the Act.
The duo, clad in purple overalls with the word “detainee” printed on the back, were brought in to the courtroom just after 3.30pm. They were surrounded by five Gurkha officers throughout the proceedings. There was heavy police presence even before proceedings commenced.
Prosecutors said Zzaman, a construction worker who earned between S$1,300 to S$1,500 a month, provided S$200 to Rahman Mizanur for the purpose of facilitating a terrorist act in Bangladesh.
Mizanur was among four other Bangladeshi nationals sentenced to between 24 months and 60 months for financing terrorism in July. He was the ringleader of the group, authorities had said.
Mamun, prosecutors said, had asked a man to pass Mizanur S$500 from leftover funds collected from a previous group of 27 Bangladeshi nationals repatriated for terror links. Mizanur had called for funds for the purpose of eventually forming the Islamic State in Bangladesh (ISB).
Mamun was deputy leader of the group, but took over as ringleader when Mizanur was arrested on March 29. Zzaman was security counsel of the group.
