They also seized a computer in a defamation investigation into two articles on another website, but said it was premature to say whether all five postings were connected.

The initial investigation targeted the Fateha organisation, which gained prominence early this year by expressing sympathy for suspected terror mastermind Osama bin Laden and opposing Singapore's support for the US-led war on terrorism.

The government then described Fateha as "poisonous" and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng warned the group was being closely monitored and "if action is needed, we'll take it".

The defamation investigation, at the direction of the attorney general, related to a series of articles posted on the Fateha.com website last month.

"Police are investigating the postings for offences of criminal defamation," a spokesman said in a statement.

One of the articles was headed: "Is Yaacob Ibrahim a hypocrite?" in reference to the Muslim affairs minister.

Others were: "The real reason for forcing girls to remove hijab", which questioned the strict policy stopping young Muslim girls wearing the headscarf to school, and "The Ho Ching Miracle" about the appointment of Ho Ching, the wife of Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, as head of the powerful state investment arm Temasek Holdings.

"Upon conclusion of the investigations, police will address the Attorney-General's chambers with its findings," the statement said.

Fateha says on its website that through cyberspace the Muslim community has been given "a voice that can be heard".

The two articles on the soc.culture.singapore website were entitled: "LKY and AlbinoDad beat even best lie detectors" and "Police inspector commits perjury knowing judge is bent".

A police spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that former Fateha leader Mohamad Zulfikar Shariff, for a long time the organisation's public voice, was one of the first people interviewed over articles on its website.

The investigation began Tuesday, a day after Zulfikar was fined S$600 (US$240) for trespassing in a police station.

Outside the court Zulfikar reportedly said his conviction would add "more credibility to the accusation that Singapore is a police state".

He had gone to the police station in a show of support for opposition politician Chee Soon Juan who was arrested on May 1 and charged with organising an illegal rally.

Singapore's ruling People's Action Party, which has held a firm grip on power since the city-state gained independence in 1965, has regularly used defamation suits to silence critics.

Chee, the leader of the Singapore Democratic Party, currently faces defamation suits brought by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew for comments made during last year's election campaign.

He also faces other charges of speaking in public without a licence and organising an illegal May Day rally.

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