UK charity Chief charged over Bangladesh 'bomb factory'

BANGLADESH: Police in Bangladesh on Tuesday formally charged a British charity chief accused of using an Islamic school as a cover to store weapons and explosives, an officer said.

Faisal Mostafa, 45, a British citizen who heads the Green Crescent charity was charged with "stockpiling weapons, ammunition and explosives," said local police chief Belayet Hossain.

If convicted, Mostafa faces a maximum life jail sentence. "We have brought charges against Faisal and 10 others associated with his charity. The court will now set the date to begin prosecution," Hossain said, adding that other charges of militancy were still being investigated.

Last month police raided the Islamic school, or madrassa, on the remote southern island of Bhola and seized a cache of weapons and explosive devices, as well as jihadi literature urging Muslims to take up arms.

Bangladeshi police say the madrassa, owned by British-based Green Crescent, was used as mini bomb factory. Mostafa was arrested 22 days ago on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka. The Charity Commission, which regulates charities in Britain, announced it would investigate the extent of the alleged links between Green Crescent and the arms haul.

In Bangladesh, the raid prompted authorities to launch inquiries into both charities with religious links and Islamic schools in the impoverished country.

Bangladeshi authorities have long viewed madrassas with suspicion, fearing they could be potential recruiting grounds for Islamic militant groups. Dhaka, Thursday, AFP