Bangladesh arrests two more suspects in blogger's killing

Published August 28, 2015
Two more suspects arrested in the murder of the secular blogger, Niloy Chakrabarti. ─ AP/File
Two more suspects arrested in the murder of the secular blogger, Niloy Chakrabarti. ─ AP/File

DHAKA: Police in Bangladesh have arrested two more suspected members of a banned militant group thought to be behind the slaying of a secular blogger in the fourth such deadly attack this year.

Dhaka Metropolitan police official Mahbub Alam said Kausar Hossain Khan, 29, and Kamal Hossain Sardar, 29, were arrested in raids in the capital city late Thursday and that they were suspected members of the Ansarullah Bangla Team blamed for attacks on atheist bloggers and writers.

The arrests follow the arrests two weeks ago of two other suspects, Saad-al-Nahin and Masud Rana for involvement in the killing of the 28-year-old blogger Niladri Chottopadhay Niloy.

Read more: 2 suspects arrested in Bangladesh blogger murder case

Alam said the latest arrests were a result of interrogations of the two.

Niloy was hacked to death on Aug. 7. His wife, Asha Moni, filed a murder case against four unnamed persons, and the seriousness of the case meant the investigation was handed to the Detective Branch of the police from the regular police.

Police would not provide more details about Khan and Sardar but said they were out on bail after being accused of attempted murder in an attack on another blogger, Asif Mohiuddin, two years ago.

Mohiuddin has since fled for Germany.

Niloy was known to his friends as an atheist blogger whose online name is Niloy Chowdhury. His family and friends said he has criticised radical Islamists at home and abroad, and had sought police protection after receiving threats. The police asked him to leave the country for his safety, they said.

The United States has expressed its concern over the killing, while the United Nations called for Bangladeshi authorities to ensure accountability and prevent such violence.

UN Special Rapporteur Heiner Bielefeldt is scheduled to visit Bangladesh from Monday to assess the state of freedom of religion and belief in the South Asian country.

In February, Bangladeshi-American blogger Avijit Roy was hacked to death on the Dhaka University campus while walking with his wife.

Know more: Third secular blogger hacked to death in Bangladesh

Two others were attacked and killed in March and April, one in Dhaka and another in the northeastern city of Sylhet.

Know more: Unidentified attackers hack US blogger to death in Dhaka

Investigations into those cases have made no headway.

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...