Mahmudur Rahman, Acting Editor of Amar Desh Newspaper, held Captive in a Court Room in Kushtia and Attacked at the Court Premises: Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) condemns and expresses concern

Mahmudur Rahman, Acting Editor of ‘Amar Desh Newspaper’, was attacked while he was exiting the Court in Kushtia after securing bail in a defamation case. He was severely injured in the attack and the vehicle transporting him was also vandalised by the attackers. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) strongly protests and condemns such attack and demands immediate identification of the perpetrators to bring them to justice.

According to media sources, on 10 December 2017, the Chhatra League President of the Kushtia District filed a defamatory lawsuit against Amar Desh Newspaper Acting Editor Mahmudur Rahman at the Additional Judicial Magistrate Court for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her niece Tulip Siddiq. On 22 July 2018, the court granted permanent bail to Mahmudur Rahman which he sought appearing before the court. According to media reports, at that moment, the leaders and activists of pro-government student body Chhatra League, who had earlier taken position in the court premises, detained him in a courtroom. When he tried to escape and get into his car, he was hit with bricks and sticks. He has been severely injured in the attack. Later, it was known that he was able to reach the Jessore Airport with the help of the police. This kind of attack at the court premises in the presence of law enforcing forces is completely unacceptable. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses deep concern regarding such an attack at the court premises in the presence of law enforcing forces on Mahmudur Rahman, who has submitted himself to the legal process, and just granted permanent bail from the court and especially,

According to the Constitution of Bangladesh, every citizen is equal before the law and is entitled to get equal protection of law. Mahmudur Rahman is a person who has submitted to the legal process – if he is proven guilty then the court will ensure his punishment. In this context, ASK thinks that it is extremely condemnable to take law into one’s own hand and commit an attack at the court premises. In recent times, there have been a number of allegations against the pro-government Chhatra League regarding the violation of law and order. If effective legal measures are not taken against those who are involved in the attacks, such attacks will accelerate and inspire more of such incidences. This will create chaos and anarchy, and thereby, disrupt of rule of law in the society. Therefore, ASK strongly demands to immediately find out the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Press Statement 23.07