22 eminent citizens call for Manna's release
Twenty-two eminent personalities in a statement yesterday called for the release of Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and giving him a chance to face trial.
“He has been in jail for over a year without any trial or receiving a bail,” read the statement issued by Nagorik Oikya.
The personalities further said that Manna, a former student leader and politician, was physically ill and needed better treatment.
The signatories are former caretaker government adviser Hafizuddin Khan, Gonoshasthaya Kendra Trustee Zafrullah Chowdhury, Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque of Dhaka University, Sujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Subrata Chowdhury, Prof Dilara Chowdhury, former Ducsu VP Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed, Prof Anu Mohammad of Jahangirnagar University, DU Prof CR Abrar, DU Prof Mezbah Kamal, columnist Muhammad Jahangir, DU Prof Ferdous Hossain, former lawmaker Syed Mazharul Haque, rights activist and SC lawyer Sara Hossain, journalist Golam Murtaza, DU teacher Robayet Ferdous, journalist Ashraf Kaiser, Prof Humayun Kabir, Nazimuddin Ahmed, Ruby Amatullah, lyricist Shahidullah Farazi and SC lawyer Shafiuddin Bhuiyan.
Manna was arrested on February 24 last year, a day after his telephone conversation with BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka about strengthening the anti-government movement, among many other issues, was leaked. A sedition case was filed against the two on March 5.
Comments