Bangladesh, new death threats for liberal personalities

A letter containing death threats was sent to local press. It does not contain the name of any organization or a sender. Police on alert. Those threatened include a judge of the war crimes Tribunal, various activists and an Imam who endorsed a fatwa against terrorism.


Dhaka (AsiaNews/Agency) – Death threats were sent to nine prominent personalities in Bangladesh. Those threatened include a Supreme Court justice, an Iman known for his liberal views, and a leader for dialogue between Hindus and Christians. The anonymous letter was sent by post to a local newspaper, the Dhaka Tribune, which alerted the authorities.

The letter, written in Bangla, does not contain the name of any organization or a sender. On top of the letter is the proclamation “Allahu Akbar” (which means “Allah the Great”) and a phrase: “Your death sentence is final. Execution will be carried out any time.”

The letter was postmarked Mohammadpur Post Office, in the division of Dhaka. In the list there are nine prominent personalities: International Crimes Tribunal judge Justice Nizamul Haque; tribunal prosecutor Dr Tureen Afroz; activists Rana Dasgupta, Dr Imran Sarker, Kamal Pasha Chowdhury, Azadur Rahman Chandan, Shagor Lohani; Islami Oikya Jote faction Chairman Misbahur Rahman Chowdhury; Sholakia Imam Maulana Farid Uddin Masuud.

Maulana Masuud is among those who initiated the recent fatwa against terrorism, and was the target of the terrorist attack at the festival of Eid al-Fitr in Kishoreganj district. He said he did not receive any such letter with a threat, but he offered prayers for those who had sent the letter, saying: “May Allah guide them.”

Lawyer Rana Dasgupta, the secretary general of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council of Bangladesh, said he did not receive any new death threat, but “such death threats have been sent many times before in my name. I filed a complaint, but there was no police response”.