NIA to Submit Fresh Request to Interpol for Red Corner Notice Against Islamic Preacher

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will file a fresh request before the Interpol for issuing a red corner notice against controversial India-born Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is currently living in Malaysia. Interpol cancelled the red corner notice that it issued against Naik earlier this month, his aide was reported to have said on Dec. 16.

NIA’s previous plea was rejected by the Interpol on the grounds that no charge sheet was filed against Naik when the request was submitted. A charge sheet has now been filed against him, and the NIA will once again approach the Interpol.

“A red corner notice would have restricted international travel for Zakir Naik, who has been changing his base frequently after the NIA petitioned the Interpol for an international arrest warrant against him,” NIA officials said, according to media reports.

Interpol accepted Naik’s demand to cancel the red corner notice request him because India was said to have made a “premature” request, the international organization had indicated earlier. The objective of a red notice is to assist a country in seeking the extradition of an accused charged for an offence, not a suspect under investigation, stressed Interpol’s panel that decides on such notices.

After the cancellation of the red corner notice against him by Interpol last week, Naik urged the Indian government to clear his name in a video sent to a local Malaysian daily, reported Malay Mail Online.

“You have heard of the news on the cancellation of the Interpol red-notice against me. I hope the Indian government would bring forth the necessary justice by clearing my name against the accusations made. The matter had happened as truth had prevail through unexpected means. It has happened at the international level, it can happen in India as well,” Naik apparently said in the 58-second video clip.

India will soon make a formal request to Malaysia for Zakir Naik’s extradition, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said last month.

Malaysia will send Naik back to India if its government requests that he be extradited, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said. However, no such request has been made so far.

Naik, who is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), is being probed for charges such as inciting terror and money laundering. In July last year, Naik fled from India when terrorists in Bangladesh claimed that his speeches inspired them. This prompted security agencies in India looking deeper into his speeches and other activities.

Naik was granted permanent residency status by Malaysia, and now shuttles between the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and African and Southeast Asian countries.