Interpol snubs India's appeal against Muslim preacher

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI, India

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) said Saturday it will file a fresh appeal to Interpol after it turned down a request to issue a red notice for popular preacher Zakir Naik -- a move which could have hindered his international travel.

Alok Mittal, NIA’s spokesperson said in a statement: "NIA's request for a red corner notice against Zakir Naik was not accepted by Interpol as a charge sheet had not been filed when the request was submitted to the Interpol headquarters.

"Now, NIA will submit a fresh request to Interpol as a charge sheet has already been filed in the concerned NIA court in Mumbai."

Naik, 52, who has been on the run, in a video message welcomed the decision.

"I am relieved about it. But I would have been much more relieved if my own Indian government and Indian agencies, gave me justice and cleared me of all the false charges," he said.

Naik had been booked by the agency in October for hate speech and deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.

His passport was revoked in July.

The move came after allegations that two militants involved in last year's terror attack in Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, which left 20 people dead, had been inspired by Naik's lectures.

Naik is well known in various countries for his expertise in debating on Islamic issues. He has millions of followers on Facebook and has delivered close to 4,000 lectures on Islam in many countries.

His programs on Peace TV, which he founded in 2006, were very popular among Indian Muslims. The channel was banned by the government last year.