One of the nine men alleged to be responsible for a spate of robberies to finance a 'holy war' and subsequently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) was released yesterday without condition.

Mohd Sobri Abu Hassan was released from the Jalan Travers police station in Kuala Lumpur at 3.30pm. He was arrested on May 29, remanded for 14 days, and later kept incommunicado under ISA for 59 days.

He was an active member of the Islamic party, PAS.

The police are empowered under Section 73 of the ISA to detain suspects for not more than 60 days, while the home affairs minister, presently Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, could sign a two-year detention order thereafter. This order could be subsequently renewed.

At a press conference on June 7, police chief Norian Mai told reporters that the 'Jihad nine' were responsible for a spate of robberies to finance their efforts to create a purist Islamic society through a holy war.

According to him, Mohd Sobri was detained to "assist investigations".

Norian also revealed that the suspects were also involved in the killing of Lunas state assemblyman Joe Fernandez and for the bombings of a church and a Hindu temple, as well as an attack on the Guar Chempedak police station in Kedah.

He said the suspects had been influenced by foreign separatist groups and the police force was confident of arresting more.

On May 18, an attempted robbery was foiled when a Southern Bank security guard shot three suspects, killing one and injuring the others. The fourth escaped, but was later caught and led police to a cache of arms and explosives in a jungle in Puchong.

Sobri and five other group members were arrested later.

Wife shocked

Last Friday, three of the nine suspects, Zainan Harith, A Rasid Ismail and Adnan Mohd Daud were charged with committing offences under the Firearms Act which carries the death penalty.

Mohd Sobri's wife, Zahara Saad, who received him at their home in Taman Tenaga, Puchong at about 4pm yesterday told a source close to the family that she was "shocked" because her husband turned up unexpectedly at their doorstep.

The source told malaysiakini Mohamad Sobri was "physically in good condition but mentally depressed". He has five children, the eldest 14 and youngest 10 days old.

Police have linked 'Jihad Nine' to the Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia (KMM), whose members - including Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat's son Nik Adli - were also arrested under the ISA last week.

KMM, in which is Nik Adli is said to be the leader, has actively supported the arms struggle to oust then Soviet Union from Afghanistan.