Bangladesh court acquits newspaper editor in plot to abduct and kill Hasina’s son

Judiciary Overturns Conviction, Declares Charges as False and Fabricated

In a significant legal development, a Bangladesh court on Monday acquitted Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the daily Amar Desh, in a case linked to an alleged 2015 plot to abduct and kill Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, in the United States.

The Dhaka 4th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Tarique Aziz, ruled in favor of Rahman, allowing his appeal and overturning his previous conviction and seven-year prison sentence. The judge declared the charges against him false and fabricated, leading to his acquittal.

Rahman’s Reaction and Legal History

Speaking to journalists after the verdict, Rahman expressed relief at finally receiving justice and reaffirmed his commitment to fighting against authoritarianism. He described his legal battle as part of a broader struggle for democracy in Bangladesh.

Rahman was previously sentenced in absentia on August 17 last year. However, after spending over five and a half years in exile, he returned to Bangladesh on September 27, 2023. Two days later, he surrendered to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka and was taken into custody.

Case Background and Other Convictions

The case was originally filed on August 3, 2015, following allegations that Mamun, a vice president of Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha, along with senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders, had conspired in the UK, US, and Bangladesh to abduct and kill Joy, who was serving as an adviser to Prime Minister Hasina.

Several others were sentenced to seven years in absentia, including senior journalist Shafik Rehman, Mamun’s son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar, and US-based businessman Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan.

Hasina’s Political Situation

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now 77, has been residing in India since August 5 last year after mass student-led protests toppled her Awami League’s 16-year rule. The unrest led to widespread political shifts, adding further complexity to Bangladesh’s governance and judicial landscape.

A Verdict with Far-Reaching Implications

The court’s decision to acquit Rahman and dismiss the charges not only highlights flaws in the legal process surrounding high-profile cases but also signals a turning point in Bangladesh’s evolving political and judicial scenario. The case remains a critical marker of the country’s political tensions and the role of the judiciary in navigating such complexities.