Singapore has cancelled the work permits of two Bangladeshi nationals and repatriated them following investigations into their extremist social media activity. The Internal Security Department (ISD) confirmed on July 17 that Tayani Md Risad, 25, and Islam Sahedul, 37, were investigated separately earlier this month. Both men had been employed in Singapore's construction sector before their removal from the country.
Investigations revealed that Risad had used social media to express support for Shafiur Rahman Farabi, a Bangladeshi writer known for inciting violence against secular and atheist bloggers. Farabi is also allegedly linked to Hizb ut-Tahrir, a fundamentalist group that is banned in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Sahedul was found to have made inflammatory posts regarding the Israel-Iran conflict and shared divisive religious content, including labeling Muslims who reject governance under Islamic law as infidels.
While the ISD stated that there was no evidence the men intended to carry out terrorist attacks or were involved in militant activities within Singapore, their presence was deemed incompatible with the country's social fabric. The department emphasized that the pair's extremist and divisive views are considered harmful to Singapore's multiracial and multi-religious society.
The two men were not linked to any previous cases involving self-radicalized individuals handled under Singapore's Internal Security Act. Upon their arrival in Bangladesh on July 8, they were detained by local authorities, who seized their mobile phones and passports. A court in Dhaka has since granted a three-day remand for further investigation into their potential ties to militant networks.