Madurai, May 25 (PTI) Fathima Begum, mother of terror accused Mohammad Niaz Abdul Rashid, arrested in France early this month, today claimed her son was innocent and did not have links with any terrorist organisation, including the banned SIMI in India.
Speaking to reporters here, she said Niaz was not one who could become a terrorist. "I know this well as his mother. If police thinks he was a militant, they could have arrested him when he visited us in January," she said.
She said two immigration officials had earlier come to their house in Melur, checked his passport, found nothing wrong and had left. They did not produce identity cards when asked.
Fathima said Niaz had stayed with the family in Karimedu here till 2005. The family later moved to Melur, about 30 kms from here.