Nasiruddin bin Ali, 37, Fakhruddin Al-Razi bin Abdullah, 30, Pahrol bin Mohd Juoi, 36, Jaafar Ahmad, 29, Mohd Nizamuddin Ashaari, 33, Hashim Ahmad, 42, Hasyim Jaafar, 40, Ahmad Salim Omar, 49, Hashim Muhamad, 30, Azura Mohd Yusof (f), Tengku Noriah binti Tengku Abdullah (f), Dr Mansor bin Mohd Nor, Mohammad Abu Bakar, Sheikh Abdul Rahim: Amnesty International has learned that 14 former members of the banned Al Arqam Islamic sect were released on or around 5 February 1997. It is believed that all those named above were possible prisoners of conscience held under the Internal Security Act solely for the peaceful expression of their religious beliefs. Only one of the above, Ahmad Salim Omar, is reported to have been released unconditionally. The others are reported to have been banished to remote districts and have been placed under restriction orders.
