The 15-year-old youth was issued an order of detention in December last year.

With its removal from the list, Pakistan would essentially receive a reputational boost and get a clean bill of health from the international community on terrorist financing.

The recent botched kidnapping attempt believed to have been masterminded by Israel's Mossad is not the first incident to have dragged Malaysia's name into world conflicts.

Besides taking American hostages, Elsheikh and the other 'Beatles' are accused of abducting some 20 other journalists and relief workers from Europe, Russia and Japan.

If convicted of the charged offences, Mirsad Hariz Adem Ramic faces a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison, a fine of US$750,000 and term of supervised release up to life.

NSO has denied any wrongdoing, saying it sells its tools only to governments and law enforcement agencies and has safeguards in place to prevent misuse.

But one justice questions how the case jived with the Biden administration's opposition to federal executions.

The new security law gives police the power of entry, search and surveillance without warrants to prevent the planning and preparation of terroristic acts, among others.

Special Branch assistant director says most terrorist groups transiting in Malaysia will try to avoid confrontation with the authorities.

An expert does not rule out the possibility of attempts to replicate the 2001 attacks on the New York twin towers, but believes Malaysia is more prepared now.

Sri Lanka's Muslim Council condemns the Auckland attack as a 'barbaric act of terrorism,' and thanks the NZ police for their swift response.

Indonesia's counter-terror squad has rounded up 53 suspected extremists in nearly a dozen provinces over the past week.