KUALA LUMPUR — A lawyer representing Zobaidul Amin, who is wanted by the United States over an alleged global child sexual exploitation operation, has challenged the legality of his extradition from Malaysia, saying the move was carried out without the knowledge of the defence despite ongoing court proceedings here.
According to a report by New Straits Times, lawyer Harvindar Singh of Harvindar Singh & Co said the 28-year-old had been on bail in Malaysia for the past three years and had regularly attended court hearings.
“We are unaware of where he was picked up from. His extradition on Wednesday is illegal. The attorney-general (Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar) must provide clarity,” Harvindar told the New Straits Times.
He said the defence team had not been informed about the extradition or Amin’s removal from Malaysia.
Amin was extradited to the United States on Wednesday following a request from Washington and has since been taken to Alaska to face federal charges. The case was highlighted by US authorities, with FBI director Kash Patel describing the transfer as part of efforts to pursue offenders hiding overseas.
Harvindar also questioned a statement on the website of the US Attorney’s Office in Alaska, which described Amin’s transfer as his “return” to the United States.
The statement said the Bangladeshi national who allegedly abused and sexually exploited hundreds of minors worldwide had been “returned from Malaysia”, describing the move as part of increased efforts to pursue criminals hiding abroad.
Harvindar disputed the wording, noting that Amin had never been to the United States.
“He was never in the US, nor is he a US citizen,” he said.
US court records show that although the case was filed in Alaska, Amin was physically in Malaysia throughout the investigation period in 2022.
US authorities allege Amin ran a global online child sexual exploitation operation targeting minors through social media platforms.
While the charges will now be heard in the United States, the defence maintains that the manner of Amin’s removal from Malaysia raises serious legal questions that authorities must explain. — March 7, 2026