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The announcement yesterday comes one month after the escape from detention of JI leader Mas Selamat Kastari, 47. It was also the second announcement this year of the detention of JI members. In January, the ministry said two men, both 26, had been detained. They were self-radicalised, having strayed into terrorism by independently reading extremist propaganda online. Unlike them, Rijal had gone to religious schools overseas, was talent-spotted to be a JI leader and sent for terrorist training. The ministry said that at the time of his arrest last month, he was working with foreign JI elements to revive the terror group's network. Earlier this year, the Internal Security Department managed to pin down Rijal's exact whereabouts. He was in hiding overseas and was arrested 'with the cooperation of regional authorities', added the ministry, which did not elaborate on how or where he was caught, or provide more personal details about him. His detention order was issued last Thursday. Commenting on the arrest, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education) Masagos Zulkifli told The Straits Times: 'For those who have gone to Afghanistan, met people, went for training, it is no longer a question of just listening to doctrine. 'These are people who have taken action so you don't know how far they'll go. For the good of all, we have to be very vigilant.' The ministry statement said Rijal was one of several students talent-spotted by the JI. He was a member of the JI's Al-Ghuraba cell, which develops young members to be trained operatives and future leaders. In 2000, he was sent to Afghanistan for military training at Camp Farouq where he met Osama. Al-Qaeda also arranged for him to train in Kabul. His terrorist training included how to handle weapons, explosives, surveillance and guerrilla warfare. He returned to this region after his training but went on the run when security action against the JI started in the region. 'In particular, he remained away from Singapore and has been in hiding overseas to avoid pursuit by Singapore authorities,' said the ministry. Terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna saw Rijal's arrest as a clear sign that the JI is still the 'tier 1 national security threat to Singapore'. 'Somebody who goes to Al-Farouq and who is part of the Al-Ghuraba cell is a significant member,' he said. The ministry yesterday also said that JI detainee Anis Mohamad Mansor, 51, was freed on Feb 10 with limits on his activities and movements Anis, held for four years, had cooperated in investigations and responded to rehabilitation, including religious counselling, the ministry added.
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