NASHIK: State Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested a 32-year-old engineer from Nashik for his alleged links with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a proscribed outfit banned by the Union government.
The suspect, Hussaif Abdul Aziz Shaikh, who runs a business of his own, was arrested from his residence at Tidke Colony in the city. He was produced before a Nashik court, which ordered his custodial remand till Jan 31.
“Our investigations revealed the person has shown signs of radicalization in recent years.He actively supported ISIS by transferring funds to the organisation,” the ATS said in a statement. “We have seized electronic devices, including mobile phones, SIM cards, laptop and a pen drive along with incriminating documents,” added the statement.
In court, public prosecutor Ajai Misar submitted, “The ATS’s initial investigation revealed Shaikh was funding ISIS since 2019.”
Misar cited investigations and submitted Shaikh was in contact with a woman in Syria, who is an active member of the organisation. “He used to either transfer money to the organisation through her or used to route the funds through other channels,” the prosecutor said.
Misar further submitted Shaikh has been to places like Dubai, Sharjah in the UAE, Riyad, and Sri Lanka. The prosecutor sought Shaikh’s custodial remand on the grounds the ATS needed to unearth the conspiracy that hewas hatching with the terrorist outfit.