Keralite cleared of ISIS charges says ‘stigma ruined my life’ 

Riyaz, from New Mahe in Kannur was arrested on February 3, 2018 by the National Investigation Agency under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after his wife had accused him of forcefully converting her to Islam and selling her to Islamic State (ISIS) as a sex slave. Nearly after a year, he has been cleared of all terror charges and his case has been transferred to the North Paravur police. He was placed under arrest for 76 days.

However, proving his innocence has cost him very dearly.

According to an Indian Express report, Riyaz said, “After I was arrested, I lost my job as a manager in Saudi Arabia. Close family members abandoned me after the ISIS links were foisted. I never thought a love marriage with a woman of a different religion would trigger such trouble. I had come from Saudi Arabia to convince people of my innocence, but the NIA arrested and put me in jail.”

“Everyone looks at me with suspicion. People were not willing to interact with me. I have become a stranger for even close family members,” he said.

Riyaz had got married to a Hindu woman from Pathanamthitta in May 2016. In November 2017, his wife had filed complaint against him in Kerala high court accusing him of forcefully converting her to Islam and selling her to ISIS as a sex slave.

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