Aslam sued for sedition

Police yesterday filed a sedition case against BNP leader Aslam Chowdhury for allegedly hatching a conspiracy with Israel's Likud Party and its intelligence agency Mossad to oust the government.

The case was filed with Gulshan Police Station in the evening, said Sheikh Nazmul Alam, deputy commissioner of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

AKM Shahidul Hoque, inspector general of police, said Aslam had a financial contract with Likud Party politician Mendi N Safadi for trying to topple the government.

Police have evidence of Aslam's involvement in the conspiracy, he told reporters yesterday afternoon after attending a programme at Rajarbagh Police Lines.

“We've quizzed him on remand. The information given by him clearly suggests that he was involved in anti-state activities.

“While conspiring, they [conspirators] contacted Likud Party and Mossad to oust the government through creating anarchy in the country and making the government unpopular,” the police chief added. 

Shahidul said police prayed for permission from the government to file a case. Accordingly, the government granted the prayer.

Known to be a trusted lieutenant of BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, Chittagong-based businessman Aslam came under severe criticism from in and outside the party after several photographs went viral in social media showing him with Safadi, also chief of Safadi Center for International Diplomacy and Public Relations.

Aslam, also BNP joint secretary general, was picked up by detectives from the capital's Khilkhet on May 15, hours after a travel ban was imposed on him.

He was taken on remand after being shown arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Following his arrest, some Awami League leaders alleged that the BNP was conspiring to topple the government with the help of Mossad.

The BNP, however, termed the allegation “a cooked-up story”.

Asked whether any other person was involved in the conspiracy, IGP Shahidul said they were in the middle of investigation.

Police would seek his fresh remand. The BNP leader was shown arrested in two other cases, he told newsmen.

He said there were some associates of Aslam and if any of them is arrested, police would have “complete information” about the conspiracy.

“Then it would be clear who would be the beneficiaries and who were involved directly or indirectly.”

Aslam “admitted to detectives” that he had a contract with Safadi under which the Israeli politician would try to oust the Bangladesh government in exchange for money, claimed the IGP.