Kunahandhoo teacher arrested for alleged links to terrorist networks

A Leading Teacher working at L. Kunahandhoo School has been arrested for allegedly recruiting people to Islamic State (IS), and maintaining links with international terrorist networks.

President of Kundahandhoo Council, Asmau Abu Bakr spoke to “Sun” on Monday, and said that police came to the island and arrested Leading Teacher Abdulla Muroof Sunday night.

Asmau said he was informed Mauroof had been arrested for alleged links to terrorist networks.

And that police officers were still operating on the island.

“Sun” has been informed that Mauroof, 36, is suspected of being a key IS recruiter in Maldives.

A member of Mauroof’s family who spoke to “Sun” said that about 30 police officers came to the island and arrested Mauroof at around midnight.

The family member said that police came to the island last March as well, confiscating Mauroof’s laptop, mobile phone and hard disk of the computer he uses at school under court order.

“Sun” has received a copy of the court order, and it reads that Maurood is suspected of” holding separate Friday prayers at a home to spread religious extremist views, and being a top recruiter sending Maldivians to join terrorist network IS – operating in Syria and Iraq.”

Police have confirmed that a man was arrested from Kunahandhoo Sunday night, but did not say what he was arrested regarding.

Asmau said that Mauroof was terminated from his post on Sunday, before his arrest.

Some of the parents are protesting the teachers arrest near the school.

“Sun” has been informed that some of the parents have not sent their children for the 1st Term Examination scheduled for Monday, either.