United News of Bangladesh

The State Dialogue Forum (SDF) on Sunday filed a complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), accusing 28 prominent figures from Bangladesh's cultural and media sectors of alleged involvement in crimes committed during the July 2024 mass uprising. Al Noor Mohammad Ayas, central member secretary of the SDF, submitted the complaint to ICT Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam. SDF Central Chief Organiser Muhammad Shah Alam Badsha, Central Organiser Mahasin, and Abu Bakar Siddique (Tuhin Farazi) and Tamim Hasan, who were injured during the July movement, were present at the time. Those named in the complaint include actors Ferdous Ahmed, Riaz Ahmed, Aruna Biswas, Shomi Kaiser, Mahiya Mahi, Nipun Akter, Tanvin Sweety, Hridi Haq, Jyotika Jyoti, Saju Khadem, Sohana Saba, Simon Sadik, Zayed Khan, Azizul Hakim and Chandan Reza; actress and filmmaker Meher Afroz Shaon; actresses Rokeya Prachy, Shamima Tusti, Ashna Habib Bhabna and Sujata Azim; model and lawyer Pia Jannatul; model Maria Kispotta; journalists Anis Alamgir, Soma Islam and Shanta Farzana; Mobin Mehedi; television personality Hero Alom; and former cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor. In the complaint, the SDF alleged that the accused were involved in crimes against humanity committed during the July Uprising, including incitement to genocide, aiding and abetting, instigation and other related offences. The organisation said it filed the complaint seeking an impartial, transparent and lawful investigation by the ICT into the allegations. Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam confirmed receipt of the written complaint. "I have received the written complaint, but I have not yet examined its contents. The complaint will be forwarded to the investigation agency, which will look into the matter," he said.  

The prosecution on Sunday submitted its probe report before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) against 11 people, including deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, over the killing of former Jubo League leader Ekramul Haque in reported crossfire in Cox’s Bazar in 2018. The prosecution submitted the report before the ICT-2, chaired by Justice Nozrul Islam Chowdhury, in the morning. Ekramul, a three-time councillor of Teknaf municipality and former president of Teknaf upazila Jubo League, was killed in a reported gunfight during an anti-narcotics drive on the night of May 26, 2018, in the Noakhalipara area along the Marine Drive in the upazila. His wife Ayesha Begum had alleged that her husband had been killed in a "cold-blooded" manner rather than in a genuine gunfight. On May 31, 2018, she held a press conference in Cox's Bazar demanding a judicial inquiry into the killing. At the press conference, Ayesha also released several audio recordings that she said were captured on a mobile phone during the incident. One of the recordings appeared to contain the sound of a gun trigger being pulled, followed by gunshots and the groaning of a man, sparking widespread public attention and raising questions over the official account of the operation.

The prosecution on Sunday pressed charges against 19 people, including former lawmaker Saiful Islam, before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in a crimes against humanity case involving the killing of university student Shaikh Ashabul Yamin in Savar during the July 2024 mass uprising. The prosecution submitted the formal charges to the ICT Registrar in morning. According to the prosecution, the charges were filed after a lengthy investigation and a review of the investigation agency's report. Seven of the accused are currently in jail. They are former Additional Superintendents of Police of Dhaka district Md Abdullahil Kafi and Md Shahidul Islam, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohammad Ali, Nayeks Sohel, Mizanur Rahman, Zakir Hossain and constable Masud Mia. Yamin, a fourth-year student of the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), was killed on July 18, 2024, during the anti-discrimination student movement in Savar. According to the prosecution, police and activists of the then-ruling Awami League attacked peaceful demonstrators near the Savar Bazar Bus Stand. Yamin was allegedly dragged towards police armoured personnel carrier (APC) and shot in the left side of his chest around 1:30pm. The prosecution alleged that after he was shot, Yamin was placed on top of the APC, which was driven around the area to intimidate protesting students and civilians. He was later thrown onto the road in an injured condition. A police officer inside the vehicle was instructed to shoot Yamin again in the leg. Believing him to be dead, the officer allegedly did not carry out the order but instead dragged him across the road and left him on the other side of the road divider. Local residents later rescued Yamin, who was reportedly still breathing, and took him to Enam Medical College Hospital in Savar, where doctors declared him dead.

Major General Md Habib Ullah, Bangladesh's non-resident ambassador to Tunisia, recently presented copies of his Letters of Credence to Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad of Tunisia. During the meeting, the two sides held cordial and constructive discussions on matters of mutual interest and reviewed the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Tunisia. The Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of further strengthening the friendly relations between Bangladesh and Tunisia, which have continued for more than five decades. He highlighted the need for regular consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and greater cooperation in trade, investment, phosphate and fertilizer sectors, and other areas of mutual interest. He also stressed closer coordination in multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and expressed support for Bangladesh’s upcoming Presidency of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Ambassador recalled the longstanding friendship and excellent relations between Bangladesh and Tunisia. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to further strengthening and diversifying bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade and other mutually beneficial sectors. The Ambassador conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and handed over a letter of thanks addressed to the Minister. Later, the Ambassador met Mohamed Ben Ayed, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and Tunisia and discussed ways to enhance bilateral engagement. In both meetings, the Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State assured the Ambassador of their full support in the discharge of his responsibilities and expressed confidence that Bangladesh-Tunisia relations would continue to grow in the years ahead.

Four members of a social crime prevention organisation have been arrested and sent to court in Lalmonirhat for allegedly releasing a drug dealer in return for money and for their alleged involvement in drug-related activities. The arrestees are Atiar Rahman, 40, son of Mohammad Belal Hossain of Khuniagach Union in Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila; Anarul Islam, 45, son of Abdus Samad; Abdur Razzak, 35, general secretary of Ward No. 6 Jubo Dal of Khuniagach Union and son of late Gaffar Ali; and Jahedul Islam, 45, son of Nur Islam. Police produced them before a judicial court on Saturday afternoon. They are members of the drug prevention committee of the social movement “Alokito Lalmonirhat” in the area. Local residents said members of the anti-drug committee of Khuniagach Union arrested a drug dealer with 262 bottles of Indian Escuf syrup on Friday night. However, allegations later emerged that the suspect was released after the committee members allegedly accepted Tk 1.05 lakh as a bribe instead of handing him over to police. The incident sparked anger among locals after allegations surfaced that members of the social movement had used its name to take bribes and assist drug activities. At one stage, residents detained the four accused and informed police, who later took them into custody. ASM Khairuzzaman Badal, chief coordinator of the Social Crime Monitoring and Supervision Committee of Khuniagach Union, said the four members from Ward No. 6 had been expelled from the organisation for life based on evidence of their involvement in disciplinary violations and criminal activities. Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Saad Ahmed said they were arrested and sent to court under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to prevent possible unrest and because of their suspected involvement in a criminal offence. He said further legal action would be taken after investigation.

A madrasa teacher was arrested on Friday night for allegedly sodomising his 12-year-old residential student in Lalmonirhat's Aditmari upazila. The arrestee has been identified as Md Shahjalal Haque, 23. He was produced in Lalmonirhat district court at 3.00 pm which sent him to judicial custody. The victim was a Hifz student at Madrasatu Tahfizil Quran Waddinia Hafizia Madrasa in the Paschim Bhelabari Namurir Par area of the upazila. According to the complaint, around 12:30 am on July 21, Md Shahjalal Haque called the boy to his room on the pretext of asking him to massage his head. He then sexually assaulted the boy and threatened him not to disclose the incident to anyone. The very next day, the boy returned to his home and narrated his ordeal to his parents. Later, his family members went to the madrasa with local residents but did not find him. Madrasa authorities told them that the teacher had gone home on leave. When the teacher returned to the madrasa on the night of July 24 and was questioned in the presence of locals, he confessed his crime. An agitated crowd then allegedly beat him and handed him over to Aditmari Police. Najmus Sakib Sojib, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Aditmari Police Station, said the case had been registered based on the victim's father's complaint.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Saturday said incidents of extrajudicial killings have declined to almost zero under the current government, while it continues to maintain a zero-tolerance policy against enforced disappearances. He made the remarks while addressing a consultation meeting organised by human rights organisation Odhikar at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital. The minister said the government has been working to withdraw politically motivated cases filed between 2009 and 2024 and that the process has reached its final stage. However, he clarified that rape cases would not be considered for withdrawal, regardless of claims that they were politically motivated. Cases filed under narcotics laws would be examined carefully to determine whether they had been lodged to harass political opponents before any decision is taken, he said. Speaking about the proposed Human Rights Commission Act and the Prevention and Remedies for Enforced Disappearance Act, Asaduzzaman said three rounds of consultations had already been held with civil society representatives, law enforcement agencies and development partners before finalising the draft laws. He said both draft bills have been sent to the Cabinet Committee and expressed hope that they would be approved at the next Cabinet meeting before being placed in Parliament without delay. The minister stressed that judicial independence cannot be ensured merely through constitutional or legal provisions but requires the transparent appointment of competent, qualified and honest judges. He also criticised what he described as the judiciary's silence during the previous Awami League government's tenure over the arrests of Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman, human rights activist Adilur Rahman Khan and numerous BNP leaders and activists in what he termed false and politically motivated cases. Reiterating the government's position, Asaduzzaman said extrajudicial killings have fallen to nearly zero during the current administration and that the government remains committed to a zero-tolerance policy against enforced disappearances. He added that the government would continue its stance against domination, imperialism, anarchism and extremism. Concluding his speech, the minister sought public patience as the government implements its reform agenda. "If we make mistakes, point them out to us. We will accept constructive criticism," he said. At the same time, he warned that the government would not support any move that could lead to the resurgence of domination, imperialism or extremism. The meeting, chaired by Odhikar President Dr Tasmin Siddiqui, was also addressed by Amar Desh editor Dr Mahmudur Rahman, Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Aminul Islam, former Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury and Odhikar Director ASM Nasiruddin Elan, among others.

Reaffirming the armed forces’ firm commitment to building a non-discriminatory and self-reliant Bangladesh while upholding the spirit of the July Mass Uprising, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam on Saturday said the nation remains prepared to resist any domestic or foreign attempts or conspiracies aimed at undermining the spirit of the mass uprising. The defence adviser came up with the comment while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Looking Back at 2024" at the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA) Club auditorium in the capital’s Mohakhali on Saturday. He said the July-August student-led mass movement was not merely a change of power but the culmination of the people's accumulated anger against fascism and a movement for state reform. At the beginning of his speech, the defence adviser paid deep tribute to those who were killed during the July Mass Uprising, saying the sacrifices of young students and ordinary people would not be allowed to go in vain. He said the "New Bangladesh," achieved through the blood of martyrs including Abu Sayeed and Mugdho, belongs to people from all walks of life, not to any particular group or political party. He said the government is attaching the highest importance to ensuring proper medical treatment and rehabilitation for those injured and permanently disabled during the uprising and would ensure justice for those responsible for repression during the previous regime. Highlighting the goals of the July movement, Shamsul Islam said its primary objective was comprehensive reform of state institutions and the establishment of good governance. He said the armed forces are working tirelessly to support the interim reform process and maintain law and order in line with the aspirations of the people. Although authoritarian forces have fallen, he said, vested interests linked to them are still attempting to create instability. However, he expressed confidence that such efforts would be thwarted through public support and coordinated resistance by the military and civil administration.  The defence adviser called upon the retired military officers for rebuilding the country combining the courage of the younger generation with the experience of senior citizens. He called for utilising the experience and expertise of retired armed forces personnel in ensuring national security, policymaking and eliminating the remnants of fascism. He also urged the RAOWA Club to play a leading role in standing beside the younger generation to help build a prosperous and accountable Bangladesh in line with the aspirations of the July movement. The discussion was chaired by RAOWA Chairman Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Haque. Among others, Lt Gen (retd) Abdullah Hil Azmi, CEO of the July Smriti Foundation Lt Col (retd) Kamal Akbar, RAOWA Executive Member Maj (retd) Niaz Ahmed, Lt Col (retd) Abu Nowroz Khurshid Alam, Flight Lt (retd) Harunur Rashid Bhuiyan, injured July fighter Aman Ullah, and Mohiuddin, father of martyred Asadullah, attended the programme along with retired military and civilian participants.

A joint operation conducted by law enforcement agencies at the Noapara Rohingya camp in Teknaf recovered a firearm, ammunition and drugs and led to the arrest of nine people, officials said on Friday. The operation was carried out on Thursday by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), district police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh Ansar, the Department of Narcotics Control, the upazila administration and the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC). During the drive, members of the joint forces recovered a single-barrel gun, 16 rounds of live ammunition and 22 Yaba tablets from one of the detainees. Among those arrested, seven were involved in online gambling, while another was wanted in a pending case, officials said. Lt Col Md Hanifur Rahman Bhuiyan, commanding officer of Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB), said such coordinated operations by law enforcement agencies are playing an important role in curbing terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal arms and other crimes in the Rohingya camps. Legal action against the detainees is underway in line with the existing laws.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Friday thwarted an alleged attempt by India's Border Security Force (BSF) to push eight people into Bangladesh through the Daulatpur border in Kushtia. According to BGB, the incident occurred around 5:10am near border pillar 152/1-S under the Jaipur Border Outpost (BOP) in the Mahishkundi area of Pragpur union. The paramilitary force said members of the 146 BSF Battalion's Char Meghna camp tried to force eight unidentified people into Bangladesh by making them cross a river. The group was comprised of two men, four women and two transgender persons. After noticing the matter, a BGB patrol team immediately took position along the border and prevented them from entering Bangladesh, the force said. The group was later forced to return to the Indian side through the river, foiling the alleged push-in attempt. Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Kamal Rony, commanding officer of Kushtia Battalion (47 BGB), said the force remains vigilant to prevent illegal infiltration and any attempt to violate border laws. He said BGB is carrying out its duties with professionalism, vigilance and responsibility to ensure border security and maintain peace and order in border areas.