Four Bangladeshi migrant workers pleaded guilty to charges of financing terrorism before a Singapore court today, local press reported.

Two others denied the charges, the Straits Times reported.

The men aged between 26 and 31 were among eight migrant workers arrested a month ago, suspected of being members of a clandestine group called the Islamic State in Bangladesh (ISB).

The group is allegedly intent on overthrowing the Bangladesh government and bringing the country under the caliphate declared by the Islamic State, Singapore’s Home Ministry said this month.

The charges included providing and collecting money to support terrorism in Bangladesh, and possessing property for terrorist purposes, the report said.

It was the first time Singapore’s Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act was used for prosecution, it said.

A hearing was set for June 9 for the two who denied their charges. The four who pled guilty are to appear in court on June 21 for sentencing. The two others who were arrested were thought to be in pre-trial detention.

- dpa