United News of Bangladesh

The government has issued a gazette notification banning all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) completes the trial of the party’s leaders and activists. The Public Security Division of the Home Ministry issued the gazette notification on Monday. According to the notification, all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated and like-minded organisations are prohibited until the ICT concludes the trial against their leaders and activists. The notification states that any form of publication, media engagement, online and social media campaigns, rallies, meetings, assemblies, and conferences organised by the Awami League or any of its affiliated bodies are strictly prohibited. BNP happy with ban on Awami League activities Earlier, in a special meeting, the Council of Advisers decided to ban all activities of the Awami League — including in cyberspace — under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the conclusion of the trial by the International Crimes Tribunal. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul made the announcement while briefing reporters in front of the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday, 10 May. He stated that the decision was taken to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of the leaders and activists of the July movement, and protect the plaintiffs and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings. The meeting also approved an amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act. As per the amendment, the International Crimes Tribunals will have the authority to prosecute and punish any political party, its affiliates, or associated groups, Dr Nazrul added. Besides, the Council of Advisers decided to finalise and publish the July Declaration within the next 30 working days. Govt okays draft of ordinance to ban activities of people or entities involved in terrorism Earlier, on May 9, the government announced its plan to immediately amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to incorporate provisions for the trial of associations and political parties linked to crimes against humanity.

A case has been filed against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi district BNP convener Abu Sayeed Chand for making a “death threat” against Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina.  District Awami League General Secretary Shariful Islam Ramzan filed the case with Natore Police Station around 9:30pm on Monday (May 22, 2023). Abu Sayeed Chand has been made the main accused in the case. The BNP secretary general has also been accused in the case. Read more: AL files two cases against 450 BNP men over a clash in Patuakhali Top leaders of district and municipal Awami League were present. Nasir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Natore Sadar Police Station, accepted the case. Citing BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi BNP leader Abu Sayeed Chand as traitors, the plaintiff said the “threatening remarks” made by the main accused towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tarnished the reputation of the country. The remarks may deteriorate the law and order situation of the country, the case statement reads. Read more: People have no interest in upcoming city polls: Fakhrul Earlier on Friday afternoon, Abu Sayeed Chand threatened the prime minister at a public rally of metropolitan and district BNP at Shibpur High School ground in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi as part of the central program. "No more 27- or 10-point demand, just one point now – send Sheikh Hasina to the grave! We will do whatever is necessary to get Sheikh Hasina to resign,” he said. Meanwhile, a video of the threat went viral on social media, triggering a storm of protests among Awami League leaders and supporters. Read more: Calling 2018 National Election ‘fair’ in the morning, BNP changed its tune in the evening: Sajeeb Wazed A case was filed against Abu Sayeed Chand with Puthia Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act in this regard.

A team of Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU), a specialized unit of Bangladesh Police, has arrested a fugitive member of banned militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) from Madhabdhi upazila in Narsingdi. The arrestee was identified as Md Afzal Hossain alias Limon, 38, of Gazipur. Limon  was the head of the Dawah wing of JMB in Gaibandha. Based on the secret information, the ATU members arrested him after conducting a drive on Wednesday evening, said Mohammad Aslam Khan, Superintendent of Police (Media & Awareness wing of the ATU). Read: JMB death row convict nabbed after absconding for years He was an accused in a case filed at Gobindaganj police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2017. The trial of the case is underway. On February 11 in 2016, police conducted a drive at Buzruk Boalia Shilpapara area in Gobindaganj of Gaibandha where Limon was holding a clandestine meeting to carry out sabotage in Chattogram. However, Limon managed to flee the scene and since then he remained absconding, he added. Legal steps will be taken against the arrestee, said the official.

A Chattogram tribunal on Tuesday sentenced a member of banned militant outfit Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to 5 years jail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The convict was Rakibul Hasan Jony, 22, a resident of Sadarghat area of Chattogram port city and son of Jashim Uddin of Cumilla district. Also read: 2 suspected JMB militants held in Nilphamari Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal Judge Abdul Halim handed down the judgment and fined the convict Tk 20,000. According to the prosecution, a team of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit arrested Rakibul and recovered 10 grenades from his house in Sadarghat area on January 1, 2018. Besides, two suicide vest, two mobile phone sets, two maps were also recovered from his possession. Also read:JMB man jailed for 20 years in explosives case A case was filed against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The Anti Terrorism Unit (ATU), a specialized unit of Bangladesh Police, arrested a suspected member of banned militant outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir from Bhatara area in the city on Wednesday night.

Police have pressed charges against nine members of Ansar al-Islam, a militant organization popularly known as Ansarullah Bangla team, in a case filed over the murder of blogger Nazim Uddin in Old Dhaka in 2016.