September 27, 2002	Friday	Rajab 19, 1423

DHAKA, Sept 26: Seven Arab nationals were arrested from different parts of Uttara Model Town of the capital city at night on Sept 23 on suspicion of maintaining links with terrorists abroad.

They were arrested from the office of an NGO.

Those arrested are Abu Nujaid of Libya, Sadek Al Nasami, Abu Salam, Abu Umaiya and Abul Abbas of Yemen, Abu Ashem of Algeria and Hasan Adam of Sudan. Along with the seven Arab nationals, police also arrested a Bangladeshi citizen, Anisur Rahman.

Those arrested were placed on a five-day police remand for interrogation on Sept 24. The Detective Branch of the police initially remained tight lipped about the reasons behind the arrest of the foreign nationals. Eventually they hinted the next day that they suspected that the arrested ones had illegal arms at their disposal and might have connections with terrorists abroad.

The police refused to disclose whether they have got any specific information during interrogation.