Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah's three sons dismissed claims that their mother has links to the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

"I feel like those kinds of allegations are unfounded, because there's no proof.

"Her entire life has been dedicated mainly to helping others, since way before we were born.

"To say that she works for the CIA to try to defame her is really sad," said her oldest son, Azumin Yunos, to Malaysiakini today.

Umno information chief Annuar Musa had previously claimed that Maria is linked to the CIA through her work with the Asia Network for Free Elections (Anfrel) and the Philippines' National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

Both Anfrel and Namfrel had responded, denying that they are "CIA tools", as described by Annuar.

Azumin, 23, said that it is sad that someone who represents the people would make such allegations without hard evidence.

Bersih, meanwhile, has refuted inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar's claim that documents seized from its office hold proof that Maria was involved in activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

"The IGP’s claim that there were so-called documents discovered during at the raid, is outrageous and has no basis whatsoever.

"We are fully aware of what documents were taken from the office. It is absurd to suggest that documents belonging to us can be linked to a threat to security.

"We were given a copy of the 'senarai pemeriksaan' which lists the items seized, which clearly shows that there was no such evidence," it said in a statement.

Bersih stressed that it is an organisation dedicated to electoral reforms and good governance and that the allegations repeated by the IGP is baseless slander upon it and its supporters.

"After almost six days since Maria’s arrest on Nov 18, 2016, this the first time we have heard that the arrest has nothing to do with the Bersih 5 rally. This is a complete about-turn by the authorities," it added.

The NGO contended that until now authorities and various government leaders have given the impression that Maria had threatened national security by organising the Bersih 5 peaceful rally.

"Since the IGP claims that there is such evidence, we hereby challenge the IGP to produce the so-called evidence. Let the public evaluate the evidence for themselves.

"Does he dare?" challenges Bersih.

In a press conference, the IGP yesterday claimed that there was enough evidence to arrest Maria under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) based on documents seized during the raid on Bersih's office.

He added that her arrest was not related to the Bersih 5 rally but to Section 124C of the Penal Code, criminalising activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy, for which Bersih is being investigated.

Authorities are alleging that Bersih may be involved in such activities when it allegedly received funds from Open Society Foundations linked to American billionaire George Soros.

Picked up on the eve of Bersih 5, Maria is now held under Sosma without bail, her preventive detention may stretch for 28 days as allowed by the Act.

Critics claimed that her arrest was politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.