New Delhi (Sputnik) – India is awaiting a response from Malaysia after it made an official request for the extradition of Zakir Naik, according to the Indian Foreign Ministry. Naik, a controversial Islamic orator and founder of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), is wanted in India in connection with his role in a terrorist attack in Bangladesh and cases of money laundering and hate speech.
"India and Malaysia have an extradition treaty and we have made an extradition request to Malaysia, we are waiting for their response in this matter," Indian External Affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told the media.
READ MORE: Dangerous Discourse: India Bans Islamic Propaganda Channel
India and Malaysia have an extradition treaty and we have made a extradition request to Malaysia, we are waiting for their response in this matter: Raveesh Kumnar, MEA on extradition of Zakir Naik pic.twitter.com/mVnaR05LZj
— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2018
"Whether you are a Malaysian or non-Malaysian, you are subject to the laws in the country. If someone violated the law, no matter who they are, action will be taken in accordance with the law. I was informed that he was given the 'permanent resident' status by the previous government. Hence, he needs to follow the laws in the country, whether it involves the issue of religion or crime, he will not be spared," Malaysian Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after visiting the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman last week.
READ MORE: Controversial Islamic Scholar Who Praised Bin Laden Awarded Top Saudi Prize
Naik's speeches are beamed on Peace TV across the sub-continent, even in China, to around 100 million people. He is said to be wildly popular in Bangladesh. Naik fled India in 2016 and a formal charge sheet was filed against the famed television preacher in 2017 by the country's anti-terror investigation body, the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
