The Police of Malaysia arrested 171 people in an operation against the Islamic conglomerate Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB), suspected of being behind the abuse of 402 minors rescued from shelters supposedly under its management.
The suspectsaged between 17 and 64 years oldhave been arrested since the operation was launched on September 11, according to a report by local news agency Bernama the day before.
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Malaysian Police Inspector General Razarudin Husain said that the investigation has been carried out 82 GISB locationswhich has numerous businesses in the food, education and hospitality sectors in around twenty countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France, Australia and Thailand.
He also indicated that during the operation documents were found that link the group to the Islamic teachings banned in Malaysia by its founder in 2010, Ashaari Muhammad, then leader of the controversial sect. Al-Arqamcensored in the 1990s for deviating from the precepts of Islam.
Among the detainees Initially, the conglomerate’s CEO, his wife and 19 other executives of the group are among those arrested. Police reported the arrests last Thursday.
GISB was allegedly behind the shelters from which 402 minors between the ages of 1 and 17 were rescued on September 11, following several complaints against the group.
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Razadurin, who has since been sharing details of the preliminary investigation, said on Tuesday that medical tests on 392 of those rescued show symptoms of physical and emotional abuse.
The police officer also said that there are videos circulating on social media in which the victims were being beaten, whipped and groped on the chest and genitals, and he also denounced that they were subjected to labor exploitation and malnutrition.
He also indicated that some minors were sick or had disabilities and that At least 13 were raped.
Most of the children were children of members of GISBHabandoned in the group’s shelters shortly after birth, so many parents may not be aware of their children’s identities.
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In a statement, GISBH Last week, the company denied the accusations and said its practices comply with Islamic teachings and the laws of Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country.
GISBH He acknowledges his original links with Al-Arqam, but says he no longer has any relationship with the banned group.
The company has been embroiled in other controversies, including for creating the so-called Obedient Wives Club, which taught women to be submissive to their husbands.
