Journalist Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, has been acquitted in the case of an alleged abduction and murder plot against Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The verdict was announced on Monday (February 10) by Dhaka’s Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tariq Ejaz in Rahman’s presence.
Mahmudur Rahman’s lawyer, Tanvir Ahmed Al-Amin, confirmed the acquittal. Previously, on August 17, 2023, Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Noor sentenced Rahman and four others, including journalist Shafik Rehman, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment under two separate charges. The other convicted individuals were JASAS leader Mohammad Ullah, Rizvi Ahmed Caesar, and expatriate businessman Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan.
On September 22, 2023, the Home Ministry issued a notification suspending the sentences of Shafik Rehman and Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan for one year. However, when Mahmudur Rahman surrendered and appealed for bail on September 29, his request was denied, and he was sent to prison. He was later granted bail on October 3 after spending five days in jail.
Liberty News’ court correspondent states that according to case details, the accused allegedly conspired to abduct and kill Joy in the United States before September 2011. On August 3, 2015, Detective Branch Inspector Fazlur Rahman filed an abduction case with Paltan Model Police Station, leading to a charge sheet being submitted against five individuals on February 19, 2018.
LND/BAIZID
