Egyptian tagged as ISIS commander denies charges

From Malaya Business Insight (Mar 1): Egyptian tagged as ISIS commander denies charges

AN Egyptian who was arrested by authorities last February 16 and tagged as a “commander of (the) Islamic State” yesterday denied the charges during the preliminary investigation of his case at the Justice Department.

Fehmi Lassqued and his Filipina live-in partner, Anabel Salipad, also asked the DOJ to dismiss the charges of illegal possession of explosive devices and firearms filed against them by the Regional Police Intelligence Operations Unit of the PNP-NCRPO, saying it has no basis.

PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa earlier said Lassqued was an ISIS commander and recruiter for the international terrorist group who entered the country in July 2016 using a forged Tunisian passport.

Lassqued had denied the allegations and claimed he was “forced to say” that he was an ISIS member.

Although admitting his passport was a fake, he said he has no plans or motive to do anything bad to the Philippines.

In his counter-affidavit, Lassqued said there was no truth to the PNP’s claim that he and Salipad were arrested inside his apartment in Ermita, Manila where several improvised explosive devices and a firearm were allegedly found.

In its the complaint, the PNP-RPIOU cited as evidence the explosive devices, including two batteries, three capacitors, two integrated circuits, four pipes, battery clips and 11 resistors as well as the 45 caliber pistol and ammunition recovered from Lassqued and Salipad when they were apprehended last February 16 by a combined team from the PNP and the Philippine Army based on a warrant issued by a Makati court.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/egyptian-tagged-isis-commander-denies-charges