Journalist Arrested in Attempted Murder Case Linked to Anti-Discrimination Student Movement

Local Correspondent

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested journalist Abeduzzaman Amiri, who is based in Patiya Upazila, Chattogram, in connection with an attempted murder case tied to the anti-discrimination student movement. He was handed over to Halishahar Police following his arrest on Wednesday night.

Amiri is the Patiya correspondent for the dailies *Jugantor* and *Purbodesh*.

Assistant Police Superintendent ARM Mozzafar Hossain, staff officer of RAB-7, said, “Amiri was arrested for his alleged involvement in an attack during the anti-discrimination movement. He was handed over to Halishahar Police.”

Halishahar Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Moniruzzaman confirmed, “RAB arrested Amiri from Patiya and handed him over to us on Wednesday night. He has been presented to court this morning.”

Kawser Alam, a member of the Patiya Press Club and local correspondent for Kaler Kantho, defended Amiri, stating, “On August 4 last year, Amiri was on duty with us in Patiya throughout the day. Violent clashes occurred that day, and his reports, along with his name, were published in Jugantor and Purbodesh. It’s unclear how he could have participated in an attack in Halishahar while being in Patiya. This case appears to be a deliberate attempt to frame him. The Patiya Press Club strongly condemns and protests this act.”

The case filed with Halishahar Police states that on August 4 last year, during the anti-discrimination movement, complainant Sazzad Ahmed Saddam and his cousin were attacked near the CRB Three Roads area. His cousin sustained gunshot wounds in the incident.

The case was lodged on August 20, naming local ward councilor Abdur Sabur Liton as the prime accused. A total of 31 individuals were named, with an additional 200–250 unidentified individuals listed as accused. Amiri was the 29th individual named in the case.