Woman who was taken to Saudi Arabia returned home with help from a friend

The Kerala police team probing the alleged forced conversion of a 25-year-old woman with the intention of taking her to Syria and getting her enrolled in the IS says it has evidence of a “dedicated network” that was behind it.

“We have identified eight to 10 people, mostly from north Kerala and Karnataka, who were involved in the conversion bid. They include a woman from Bengaluru and a couple of lawyers from Kerala, all of whom will be summoned for interrogation,” said a top officer privy to the investigation. The officer said one more person from Ernakulam was in police custody.

He said two men, Fayas and Siyad, were arrested on Wednesday. They have been booked under provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, besides various IPC Sections, including abduction and rape.

The woman who was “converted” belongs to Pathanamthitta and grew up in Gujarat. She had met Riyas while studying in Bengaluru in 2014, and was allegedly blackmailed by him later.

Fayas and Siyad were produced before the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Thursday and remanded in custody. “Based on the interrogation, a report will be submitted in court. Efforts are on to locate the other accused. To trace Muhammad Riyas, the key accused who is believed to be in Saudi Arabia, Interpol’s help could be taken,” the officer said.

Investigators said they had confirmed the role of the two arrested men in facilitating the woman’s marriage with Riyas. The investigation also revealed that she had been detained in a house near North Paravur for about six months before being taken to Saudi Arabia.

Made to watch videos

After reaching Saudi Arabia, Riyas made the woman watch videos of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and attempted to take her to Syria. The woman became aware of this on reaching the Saudi border and flew back to her parents with the help of a family friend.

Officials said the National Investigation Agency could take over the case.