Six Bangladeshi workers in Singapore detained in early April under the Internal Security Act have been charged with financing terrorism, the Straits Times news site reports.
The six men were among eight who were arrested between late March and early April, and who authorities believe called themselves the Islamic State in Bangladesh (ISB), with the aim of planning attacks in their home country and forming an Islamic State there.
They were taken to court early on Friday afternoon under heavy armed escort in three separate armoured trucks.
The charges filed against the six come under the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act.
The men include Rahman Mizanur, 31; Mamun Leakot Ali, 29; Miah Rubel, 26; Zzaman Daulat, 34; Md Jabath Kysar Haje Norul Islam Sowdagar, 30; and Sohel Hawlader Ismail Hawlader, 29.
Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs claimed last month that Mizanur is the group's ringleader.
All of the accused except for Leakot Ali told the court they plan to plead guilty to the charges, and are expected to deliver that plea on Tuesday in another court hearing.
The group is the first to face prosecution under the Terrorism Act, which was passed in 2002 following the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and the thwarted Jemaah Islamiyah plot targeting foreign embassies in Singapore.
"Singapore takes a serious view of any support for terrorism-related activities, including terrorism financing," a police spokesman said.
Share
