Bangladesh News

A Dhaka court yesterday asked Jamaat-e-Islami chief Matiur Rahman Nizami and nine others to appear before it on May 8 in connection with the killing of a Workers Party activist Russell Ahmed Khan on October 28 last year.

After scrutinising the case docket (CD) and other relevant documents, Judge Momin Ullah of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court set the date. The court also fixed the same date for hearing on charge framing against the accused.

The other accused are former minister and Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, Assistant Secretary General Muhammad Qamaruzzaman, Central Nayabe Amir Mokbul Ahmed, Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam, Dhaka City Unit Amir Rafikul Islam, Paltan Unit Amir ATM Sirajul Islam, Islami Chhatra Shibir President Shafikul Islam Masud, General Secretary Zahid Hossain and President of Dhaka University Unit Shishir Monir.

On April 11, the investigation officer (IO) AKM Idris Hossain, sub-inspector of the Detective Branch of Police, pressed charges against 10 Jamaat and Shibir leaders in connection with the killing of Russell Ahmed Khan during a demonstration in Paltan area on October 28.

The IO showed 45 people as prosecution witnesses in the charge sheet.

Following the charge sheet, Metropolitan Magistrate Mir Ali Reza accepted it on April 22 and ordered it to be sent to the Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court for trial.

On October 28 last year, activists of Jamaat and its student wing Shibir gathered in front of the north gate of Baitul Mukarram and launched an attack on Awami League-led 14-party alliance activists while they were passing through the area in a procession. The attack sparked a fierce battle on the street between the rival political activists. During the battle, Shibir activists were seen shooting bullets.

Their rivals also reportedly launched a counter attack with oars and sticks.

In connection with the case filed by Workers Party leader Kamrul Ahsan, charges were brought against the accused for organising unlawful assembly, inflicting injuries on people, murder, and aiding and abetting criminal activities.