Bangladesh court acquits journalist of failed abduction of Hasina's son
What's the story
A prominent newspaper editor, Mahmudur Rahman, has been acquitted by a Bangladesh court in a case pertaining to an unsuccessful plot to kidnap and assassinate Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka 4th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tarique Aziz announced the verdict, declaring the charges against Rahman were "false and fabricated." This overturned his previous conviction and sentence.
Post-verdict reaction
Rahman expresses relief, vows to continue fight against fascism
After the verdict, Rahman, the editor of the daily Amar Desh, expressed relief. He told journalists he had "finally got justice from the court." and promised to continue his "fight against fascism." Earlier on August 17 last year, a Dhaka court had sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment in absentia. Others sentenced in absentia included senior journalist Shafik Rehman and Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha Vice-President Mohammad Ullah Mamun.
Return and surrender
Rahman's return to Bangladesh and subsequent surrender
Rahman returned to Bangladesh on September 27 last year after more than five years in exile. He surrendered to authorities two days later. The case against him was filed on August 3, 2015, following which he and Rehman were arrested. The complaint accused Mamun and leaders from former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party of conspiring internationally to target Joy.
Hasina's location
Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's current whereabouts
Notably, Hasina, 77, has been residing in India since August 5 last year, when she fled Bangladesh after a massive student-led protest toppled her Awami League's 16-year regime. The case against Rahman and others was filed on August 3, 2015, after which Mahmudur and Shafik Rehman were arrested. Meanwhile, Bangladesh sent India a note verbale seeking the repatriation of its deposed prime minister in December last year.