Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has deported two terror suspects, including one Yemeni, while seven others await deportation following their arrests on suspicion they were linked to a terrorist organization, officials said Monday.
The nine foreigners and one Malaysian were arrested last January under the Internal Security Act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.
The Home Ministry has said it arrested them on suspicion they had links with an international terror network and posed a security threat.
A Home Ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to make public statements, said Yemeni citizen Khalid Saleem and another foreigner were deported late last week.
The official said Saleem was deported because his visa had expired. He did not have details about the other man who was deported.
He said seven others were still awaiting deportation. Those include four Syrians and two Nigerians, said Syahredzan Johan, a lawyer, representing most of the men.
Syahredzan claimed all those arrested had valid student visas, but Malaysian authorities could cancel them if they were deemed to be "undesirable."
Activists say a Jordanian was also arrested but he has not asked for legal representation. The Malaysian detainee remains in police custody, Syahredzan said.
Lawyers said they were concerned they had received no access to those detained.
