Ex-Guantanamo inmates on 5-year travel ban in M'sia

Summary

• Two Malaysians sentenced to jail by a US military court for their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings are on a five-year travel ban in Malaysia, including restrictions on religious pilgrimages.

• Nazir Lep and Farik Amin, who were repatriated from Guantanamo Bay, are on an international travel ban as part of the Malaysian government’s conditions for their release.

• They are not facing jail time in Malaysia and are being reintegrated into society while being monitored by the police in instances of domestic travel.

Two Malaysians who were repatriated after nearly two decades in detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, are now under a five-year international travel ban.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain reportedly confirmed the restriction applies to Nazir Lep and Farik Amin, who pleaded guilty last year to their roles in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed over 200 people.

“It is part of the agreement with the government. They must remain in the country for five years, including refraining from performing Umrah and Haj,” Razarudin told online portal TwentyTwo13.

“There is no restriction on domestic travel, but they’ve been advised to inform the police officer monitoring them of their whereabouts for security purposes,” he added.

Nazir and Farik were each sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a US military court in January 2023 after admitting to five charges related to their involvement in the attacks.

As part of a plea bargain, they agreed to testify against the alleged mastermind, Encep Nurjaman - better known as Hambali - before being allowed to return to Malaysia last December.

The online portal reported that the duo’s repatriation was conducted discreetly, with even their lawyers only informed of the move at the last minute.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said in a statement on Dec 18 that the government had drawn up a comprehensive reintegration plan for the duo.

This included social support services, welfare aid, health screenings, and a monitoring mechanism involving periodic police visits.

The goal, Saifuddin said, was to help the men rebuild their lives while preventing any return to terror-related activities.

‘No jail time in Malaysia’

According to TwentyTwo13, a source familiar with the matter revealed that neither man could be prosecuted under Malaysian law, and so they were not detained upon their return.

“They’re not considered prisoners here. They are free men, and all we can do is monitor their movements,” the source said.

Meanwhile, the online portal quoted Razarudin as saying that both men are focusing on rebuilding their lives with close family.

“Nazir is growing chillies and raising chickens and goats as part of a project initiated by his brother,” said the police chief.

Farik, meanwhile, is focused on caring for his elderly parents, aged 83 and 89.

“For now, he just wants to be with them.”

Nazir, 48, and Farik, 47, were among seven arrested over the October 2002 bombings in Bali, Indonesia, that killed 202 people, as well as the bombing at the JW Marriott Jakarta Hotel in August 2003 that killed 12.

The duo was reportedly detained in Thailand in 2003 and transferred to US Central Intelligence Agency-operated black sites before being relocated to Guantanamo Bay in 2006, but never faced trial until January last year.

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