3 Malaysian Students Were Questioned In Relation To The Manchester Bombing
Two of the three Malaysians are medical students at the Manchester University.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 31 May 2017, 12:35 PM
Three Malaysian students in England were questioned by the Greater Manchester Police on Monday, 29 May, in relation to the recent Manchester bombing
A photo by a UK-based journalist that shows the arrest made by the police.
Image via Twitter/@helenpidd via NSTThe Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the trio were picked up at about 5.40pm on Monday evening.
"It is believed that the students were brought to the Longsight Police Station in Manchester for questioning and all three were released at 9pm (local time)," read the statement by the the Malaysian High Commission in London, as reported by New Straits Times yesterday, 30 May.
UK English daily, The Times, named two of the three individuals as Aliff Farhan and Muhd Helmi. It was reported that the duo - in their 20s - are medical students at the Manchester University.
The third unnamed individual is believed to be studying at the Manchester Metropolitan University.
The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not release any other details on the questioning.
The Times said that Aliff is reportedly active in the Manchester University's Islamic society and also founded the School of Free Thinkers (ISFT). ISFT has apparently held events at the students' home to discuss capitalism, orientalism, and literature.
One of the events' poster read, "Islamo-Nazi fundamentalism and terror that is the biggest threat to the freedom and decency of the world", according to the English daily,
According to The Times, a raid was conducted on the home of the three Malaysian students prior to the questioning. Friends of the students fear that the Manchester bomber, Salman Abedi, may have taken advantage of the students' hospitality.
Salman Abedi, on the night he carried out the bombing at Manchester Arena.
Image via Greater Manchester Police via The Telegraph UKThe report further revealed that Abedi's link to the address of the Malaysian students' home remains unclear but they are believed to have been staying there for about four years now.
"It is thought that he may have tried to use it as a place to stay, off the radar of the security services," read the report by The Times.
Friends of the Malaysian students shed some light on the matter when The Times asked them if Abedi could have abused their charity as Muslims.
"It could very well be. These students are Malaysians and Malaysians in general tend to be communal. If this guy is known locally and went to the mosque near by, it is possible they have interacted at some point," said one of the friends who wished to remain anonymous.
However, the friend stressed that all three students that were taken in for questioning are strongly against extremism and terrorism. The person described them are hard-working students of good character.
Meanwhile, another friend told The Times that "there may have been "some contact" but did not recognise Abedi from that address.
In light of the recent incident at Manchester, the Malaysian foreign ministry has advised Malaysians living there to report to the Malaysian High Commission in London
The Malaysian High Commission in London is located at 52, Bedford Row, London. Malaysians may also get in touch with the high commission via telephone at +44 (0) 207 242 4308 or via email at [email protected].
"The Ministry wishes to advise the public to remain vigilant and follow the instructions by the local authorities," read the statement by the ministry.