Believed to be 'terrorist', UK police detain Malaysian TV producer for 48 hours

His appearance has raised doubts and for Malaysian TV producer, Farihin Abdul Fatah who is in United Kingdom to shoot a documentary, he has to pay a heavy price for growing a beard.

The freelance TV producer, along with six of his production crew, was detained and placed in prison for 48 hours, as suspected terrorists in a prison near Manchester.

Their agonies started merely minutes after their arrival in the UK where they are scheduled to film a documentary. The crew members were instructed to unload their luggage to be inspected by the cops.

“We were shooting and still filming at present. We had just arrived in Holyhead, Wales from Ireland at approximately 12.20am and just as were queuing to complete the immigration cards, we were captured by a total of 20 policemen and police dogs," said Farihin.

Their agonies started merely minutes after their arrival in the UK where they are scheduled to film a documentary. The crew members were instructed to unload their luggage to be inspected by the cops.

A total of 20 policemen greeted them before they were each given some forms to fill.

“After four hours of waiting, a police officer came, passed us uniforms to wear and said that we were arrested as suspect terrorists. It was dodgy and the arrest has left us puzzled," said Farihin, adding that their arrests was due to the crew’s caravan allegedly containing a type of chemical believed to explosives.

Farihin and the rest of the crew members were charged under Schedule 7 under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2000.

In prison, said Farihin in a separate interview, the crew members were treated fairly. Meals were provided and they were also given copies of the Al-Quran along with prayer mats to perform their prayers in prison.

Farihin, is famed as the face behind the success of Malaysia’s popular nasyid group, Raihan.

Farihin, who is currently in London to complete the documentary was interviewed on Astro AWANI 7.45pm bulletin, where he shared his experience of being kept captive in United Kingdom.

During the interview he also revealed that the crew was deprived of using their mobile phones to contact their family members.

“The other of my crew members are British and their families were terrorised after they failed to contact us,” said Farihin, adding that he was not granted access to contact his family members or the Malaysian embassy in the UK.

Farihin said he managed to send two messages to his wife and some close friends to inform them about their capture before they were hauled to prison.

He added that they were represented by duty solicitors to assist them in investigations during their capture.

Farihin is expected to arrive home early October.