United News of Bangladesh

The acting chairman of Badarpur union in Patuakhali Sadar upazila, Babul Howlader, has been accused of orchestrating an arson attack on the house of a woman who had filed an attempted rape case against him. According to local sources, unidentified assailants set fire to the house of the victim in Mithapur village late last night.The blaze spread quickly, forcing the family members to flee for their lives. Despite efforts by locals to control the fire, most of the house was reduced to ashes. The victim and her family alleged that the attack was carried out at the instigation of acting chairman Babul Howlader and his associates. They claimed they had been receiving threats ever since filing the case against him for attempted rape and looting. A powerful local group had also been pressuring them to withdraw the case, they added. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Patuakhali Sadar Police Station, Imtiaz Ahmed, said, “We are investigating the matter, and legal action will be taken against those responsible,” he said.Meanwhile, attempts to contact the accused chairman for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to phone calls. 

A 25-year-old youth was stabbed to death allegedly by muggers in the Matuail Madrasa Bazar area of Jatrabari in the capital on Friday evening. The deceased was identified as Md Kawsar Howlader, an employee at a mosquito coil tin factory. Md Faruk, in-charge of the Dhaka Medical College Police Camp, said the body has been kept in the hospital morgue, and the local police station has been informed. Sharmin Akhter, a colleague of the victim, said they worked in the same factory. “Kawsar had asked me for Tk 500, and after I gave him the money, three muggers intercepted him on his way home through Matuail Madrasa Bazar, stabbed him in the chest, and took his mobile phone,” she said. Youth stabbed dead ‘by JCD leader’ in Barguna Critically injured, Kawsar was rushed to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 9:15pm, where doctors declared him dead upon examination. Kawsar, son of Haider Ali Howlader from Harina village in Pirojpur Sadar upazila, was residing in a rented house in the Mridha Bari area of Matuail.

Detectives arrested a bus driver and his helper with 4,000 yaba tablets during an anti-narcotics drive in the capital’s Jatrabari area on Friday. The arrestees were identified as bus driver Md Zakir Hossain, 45, and helper Md Shahin Chowkidar, 30. A team from the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police stopped a bus named ‘Saint Martin Road Master’ at Sayedabad Janapath intersection around 9:05 am on Friday following a tip-off, Deputy Commissioner (Media) of DMP Talebur Rahman said. Red Alert issued to arrest ex-OC Shah Alam During a search, detectives recovered the yaba tablets from a bag the driver was carrying. The bus was also seized, the DC added. Police said the duo had been smuggling yaba from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka under the guise of passenger transport. A case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act with Jatrabari Police Station, and further legal actions are underway.

Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun announced a thorough investigation into the shooting incident where a police constable killed his colleague in the Baridhara diplomatic zone. The probe will rely on CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, he said. The police chief addressed the media late last night at the scene, in front of the Palestine Embassy, where the tragic event unfolded. Eyewitnesses reported a heated argument between police constables Monirul Islam and Kawsar Ali after 11 pm. During the altercation, Kawsar began firing indiscriminately, hitting Monirul in the chest and killing him instantly. Sajjad Sheikh, a driver for the Japan Embassy who was nearby, was also injured in the shooting. Policeman gunned down by fellow cop in Baridhara; pedestrian injured The incident caused widespread panic, leading to road closures in the surrounding area. It took special police forces, including SWAT and the Detective Branch, about half an hour to disarm and apprehend Kawsar. Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, along with senior police officials, quickly arrived at the scene to manage the situation. A security guard, speaking on condition of anonymity, recounted that after shooting Monirul, Kawsar stood at the main gate of the Palestine Embassy. When questioned about Monirul’s lifeless body, Kawsar reportedly claimed he was "pretending." Kawsar then moved to the road opposite the embassy gate, where security personnel finally apprehended him. Witnesses reported hearing five to six rounds of gunfire during the incident. Slovakian prime minister in life-threatening condition after being shot Sajjad Sheikh, the injured driver, was admitted to United Hospital, according to his family.

Jhenaidah Member of Parliament Anwarul Azim Anar's family members will go to India shortly to provide DNA samples in connection with his murder. If Indian CID calls on them to go to India, it will be assumed that they (CID) would call them for a DNA test. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner and chief of Detective Branch (DB) Mohammad Harunur Rashid revealed this while talking to reporters at DB office on Saturday. He said MP's family members will go to India very soon for DNA test. Read more: Anar Murder: Nepal police arrested suspects Siam, Jihad, says DB chief "We have already talked to Kolkata CID. Apart from this, the Indian investigating officers have also taken the names and mobile numbers of the family members. They will call soon. If they call, assume they will call them for a DNA test," the DB chief said. Replying to another question, Harun said they have detained a local Awami League leader of Jhenaidah in connection with the killing of MP Anar. "He is being interrogated. Many important matters are being asked. However, he has not yet been officially shown as arrested. If any involvement is found during the interrogation, he will be shown as arrested," Harun said. Read more: DB chief leading team in Nepal to investigate MP Anar murder

In a decisive move against gang violence, members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have apprehended 35 operatives including two masterminds behind several notorious teen gangs, across key areas of Dhaka. From March 11 to 18, focused operations spanned Mohammadpur, Adabar, Nakhalpara, Tejgaon, and surrounding locales, marking a significant stride in curbing urban crime. The arrest announcement came today via a statement from RAB-2’s Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP-media), Shihab Karim. Among those detained were Md. Akash, Md. Farid, and Md. Imam Hossain, alongside figures like Md. Arif alias Rasel Mia and Md. Mosharraf, pinpointing a wide net cast by law enforcement to dismantle these criminal networks. Train movement between Dhaka and north resumes four hours after derailment in Tangail This crackdown follows reports of rampant robbery, mugging, and extortion, leading to a targeted response from several RAB teams in areas under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) jurisdiction. Notably, operations led to the capture of leaders from the FDC Munna and King Jamal Group, including Md Ismail alias “FDC Munna” and Md Jamal Hossain, as well as heads of the King Mosharraf and Apna Bhai Groups. Authorities also seized locally-made weapons used in these gangs’ criminal endeavours. The arrests reveal a disturbing trend of violence, snatchings, and extortion, with teen gangs frequently clashing over territory and influence. Preliminary interrogations have unearthed admissions of past crimes and plans for future violence, indicating a deep-rooted issue within Dhaka’s underbelly. The arrestees engaged in criminal activities under the guise of everyday professions, from transport workers to vegetable vendors, making their operations not only diverse but challenging to dismantle, said the RAB statement, highlighting the deceptive methods employed by these groups to evade law enforcement. Gazipur gas cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 11 Following their arrest, the teen gang members have been transferred to various police stations across the DMP area for further legal proceedings, signifying the beginning of a lengthy process to bring these individuals to justice.

The sprouting teen gangs have emerged as a major concern in the capital and other cities and towns of the country, and Feni town is no exception. These misguided teens involved in theft, hijacking, drug abuse, stalking, sexual harassment, and murder, allegedly with the backing of local political leaders and public representatives, are now a new threat to society. Locals allege that local political leaders patronize the teens to establish dominance, grab properties, and threaten opposition political activists. 2 killed in road crash in Gaibandha  ‘Koshai’, ‘Himil’, ‘Shano’, ‘JK’, 'Pintu', and ‘Chakma Javed’ are among the 10 gangs of the district infamous for their crimes that have been extended even to the unions from the district town. Talking to UNB, some guardians expressed their worries over the dreadful offenses committed by the teen gangs and the future of their children, as the deteriorating social environment due to the gang activities has made it difficult for them to keep their children aloof from their influence. On Thursday, police arrested three ‘SDK’ group members, including their leader, for their involvement in various crimes, including the trade and buse of drugs, snatching, extortion, stalking, threatening people for extortion, showing arms, and clashing with rival groups. Preferring anonymity, a SDK group member said,” If the ‘leaders’ need them, they inform the ‘big brother’ who completes the operations involving teen gang members, and they get money in exchange.” A police official who preferred not to be named said if the teen gang members are arrested, they get phone calls from ‘big brothers’ or ‘leaders’ seeking their release. School teacher beaten and harassed by police in Natore

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of Bangladesh-origin Ruhel Choudhury. Ruhel has ties to the Hollis, Queens Village, and Jamaica areas of Queens, New York. He may transport and sell used cars, according to the FBI. Ruhel Choudhury is wanted for his alleged involvement in two kidnappings that occurred on March 27, 2023, and May 11, 2023, in Queens, New York. Read more: ‘Sexual harassment’: Viqarunnisa teacher lands in jail  He and others allegedly abducted the victims off the street and then robbed, tortured, and drugged them. One victim was held for ransom and sexually assaulted. Ruhel allegedly provided and drove the vehicles used to confine and transport the victims to various locations in Queens during the kidnappings. He also allegedly assaulted and threatened the victims. Ruhel was indicted in the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn, New York, and a federal warrant was issued for his arrest on January 9, 2024, after he was charged with two counts of kidnapping and two counts of kidnapping conspiracy. Read more: Petition filed seeking closure of restaurants in residential buildings

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested five people who operates teen gangs from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Friday (February 09, 2024). The arrestees were identified as Zulfiker Ali, 37,a ringleader of the operator of teen gang of Jamalpur,  Harun-or Rashid, 38 of Mymensingh,  Shamsuddin Bepari, 48 of Bhola, Krishna Chandra Das, 28 of Munshiganj and Suruj Mia, 30 of Mymensingh districts. Tipped off, a team of Rab-3 conducted a drive in Mohammadia Housing Society and arrested the five people including ringleader Zulfiker who operate two teen gangs ‘Diamond’ and ‘De Dhakka’, on Friday night, said Azhar Hossain, assistant superintendent of police. Read: Subarnachar gang rape: Another accused arrested The elite force also seized one foreign made pistol, one magazine, two sharp weapons and seven knives from the possession. After primary interrogation, police came to know that they had long been involved in engaging drug addicts or teens in different criminal activities including arms and drug business, mugging, extortion, abduction, robbery and land occupation after alluring them of giving money, said Azhar. The teen members of Zulfiker’s gangs were involved in mugging. Read: 2 more arrested over rape on JU campus 

In the aftermath of World War II and the murder by Nazi Germany of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust, the world united around a now-familiar pledge: Never again. A key part of that lofty aspiration was the drafting of a convention that codified and committed nations to prevent and punish a new crime, sometimes called the crime of crimes: genocide. The convention was drawn up in 1948, the year of Israel's creation as a Jewish state. Now that country is being accused at the United Nations' highest court of committing the very crime so deeply woven into its national identity. The reason the genocide convention exists "is related directly to what the (Nazi) Third Reich attempted to do in eliminating a people, the Jewish people, not only of Germany, but of Eastern Europe, of Russia," said Mary Ellen O'Connell, a professor of law and international peace studies at Notre Dame University's Kroc Institute. Now, in response to Israel's devastating military offensive in Gaza that was triggered by murders and atrocities perpetrated by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, South Africa has gone to the International Court of Justice and accused Israel of genocide. Israel rejects the claim and accuses Pretoria of providing political cover for Hamas. South Africa also asked the 17-judge panel to make nine urgent orders known as provisional measures. They are aimed at protecting civilians in Gaza while the court considers the legal arguments of both sides. First and foremost is for the court to order Israel to "immediately suspend its military operations in and against Gaza." Protests against Germany's far right draw hundreds of thousands — in Munich, too many for safety On Friday, the court's American president, U.S. judge Joan E. Donoghue, will read out its decision at a public hearing. Here is more information about the crime of genocide and other cases in the past. WHAT IS GENOCIDE? The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, defines the crime as acts "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such." It lists the acts as killing; causing serious bodily or mental harm; deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about the group's physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births; and forcibly transferring children. The text is repeated in the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court, as one of the crimes under its jurisdiction, along with war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. The ICC prosecutes individuals and is separate to the International Court of Justice, which rules in disputes between nations. In its written filings and at a public hearing earlier this month, South Africa alleged genocidal acts by Israel forces including killing Palestinians in Gaza, causing serious mental and bodily harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions meant to "bring about their physical destruction as a group." Israel has vehemently taken issue with South Africa's claims, arguing that it is acting in self-defense against what it calls the genocidal threat to its existence posed by Hamas. HOW DO YOU PROVE GENOCIDE? As well as establishing one or more of the underlying crimes listed in the convention, the key element of genocide is intent — the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. It's tough to prove. German citizenship to become easier; here are the details "The most important thing is that whatever happens is done with the specific intent to destroy a group, so there's no plausible alternative reason why those crimes have been committed," said Marieke de Hoon, an associate professor of international law at the University of Amsterdam. Said O'Connell: "Can you show that the widespread killing of these people was intended by the government? Or ... was the government waging a war and during that war large numbers of this particular group died, but that was not the intent of the government?" At public hearings earlier this month and in its detailed written submission to the ICJ, South Africa cited comments by Israeli officials that it claimed demonstrate intent. Malcolm Shaw, an international law expert on Israel's legal team, called the comments South Africa highlighted "random quotes not in conformity with government policy." HAS THE ICJ EVER RULED BEFORE ON GENOCIDE? In 2007, the court ruled that Serbia "violated the obligation to prevent genocide" in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, when Bosnian Serb forces rounded up and murdered some 8,000 mostly Muslim men and boys in the Bosnian region. Two other genocide cases are currently on the court's docket. Ukraine filed a case shortly after Russia's invasion nearly two years ago that accuses Moscow of launching the military operation based on trumped-up claims of genocide and that Russia was planning acts of genocide in Ukraine. In that case, the court ordered Russia to halt its invasion, an order that Russia flouted. Another case involves Gambia, on behalf of Muslim nations, accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Gambia filed the case on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Both Gambia and South Africa have filed ICJ cases in conflicts they are not directly involved in. That's because the genocide convention includes a clause that allows individual states — even uninvolved ones — to call on the United Nations to take action to prevent or suppress acts of genocide. HAVE OTHER INTERNATIONAL COURTS PROSECUTED GENOCIDE? Two now defunct U.N. tribunals — for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda — both dealt with genocide, among other crimes. NATO holds its biggest exercises in decades next week, involving around 90,000 personnel The Yugoslav court convicted defendants including former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic and his military chief Gen. Ratko Mladic on genocide charges for their involvement in the Srebrenica massacre. The Rwanda tribunal, headquartered in Arusha, Tanzania, was the first international court to hand down a genocide conviction when it found Jean Paul Akayesu guilty of genocide and other crimes and sentenced him to life imprisonment in 1998. He was convicted for his role in Rwanda's 1994 genocide, when militants from the Hutu majority slaughtered some 800,000 people, mostly minority Tutsis. The tribunal convicted 62 defendants for their roles in the genocide. The International Criminal Court has charged ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir with genocide in the Darfur region. He has not been handed to the court to stand trial. Al-Bashir's government responded to a 2003 insurgency with a campaign of aerial bombings and unleashed militias known as Janjaweed, who are accused of mass killings and rapes. Up to 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million were driven from their homes. A hybrid domestic and international court in Cambodia convicted three men members of the Khmer Rouge whose brutal 1970s rule caused the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million people. Two of them were found guilty of genocide.