Jamaat condemns Akhtaruzzaman’s arrest, demands unconditional release

Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned the arrest of freedom fighter and former MP Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman and demanded his immediate and unconditional release.

In a statement issued Friday night, Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar expressed strong condemnation and protest over his arrest.

Parwar said Akhtaruzzaman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday (October 1) after performing Umrah and was subjected to what he described as harassment and inconvenience at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

He said Akhtaruzzaman protested against the alleged harassment and demanded that the authorities concerned stop it.

According to Parwar, two officials of Biman Bangladesh Airlines were suspended over allegations of passenger harassment and misconduct involving luggage at the airport. Police have said they would investigate the incident by collecting CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and other evidence.

“Yet, before the investigation, a case was filed against Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman on Thursday night, and he was arrested in that case on Friday evening,” Parwar said, condemning the filing of the case and his arrest.

He also alleged that passengers have long complained of mismanagement and harassment at the immigration section of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

These complaints include unnecessary questioning and prolonged waiting, disrespectful behaviour, problems involving luggage, alleged loss of valuables from luggage, inadequate information, being sent from one counter to another, and additional difficulties faced by women, elderly and sick passengers, he said.

Parwar called for an impartial investigation into the difficulties faced by Akhtaruzzaman and other passengers.

He also demanded that those responsible for passenger harassment and mismanagement be identified and action taken against them.

“I strongly demand that the government immediately and unconditionally release freedom fighter and former MP Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman,” Parwar said.

He also called for an end to passenger harassment at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, improved services and greater accountability among the authorities concerned.