Arrestees deny involvement
The six men arrested by Rapid Action Battalion in connection with Rajshahi University Prof AKM Shafiul Islam murder have denied their involvement in the killing.
Five of the six accused were produced before three Rajshahi courts for recording their statements yesterday, just two days after they during a press conference in the capital “confessed” to killing the teacher.
Abdus Samad alias Pintu, 34, a former RU Chhatra Dal leader masterminded the killing following a row centring his wife, Rab made the claim at the programme on Sunday.
The woman is also an employee at the university.
The other five Rab arrestees are Ariful Islam alias Manik, 33; Sabuj Sheikh, 18; Sirajul Islam alias Kalu, 22; Al Mamun, 31; and Ibrahim Khalil alias “Tokai” Babu, 21.
“Tokai” Babu has been denying his involvement from the very beginning.
The five accused denied the murder charges before the courts yesterday, saying Rab had forced them to make the confession earlier, court and police sources said.
The five accused were assaulted by Rab for the confession, families have alleged.
Police and Rab have come up with contradictory versions of the motive behind the murder.
Rajshahi police, after arresting three people from Bogra recently, said two of the detainees claimed responsibilities for the murder on social media.
Prof Shafiul, 48, known as a progressive-minded teacher at RU, was hacked to death by assailants near his house in Rajshahi's Choddopai area on November 15.
Two hours after the murder, a so-called militant outfit Ansar Al Islam Bangladesh-2 reportedly claimed responsibility for the murder on its Facebook page.
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