Former coordinator Abdur Razzak Riaz has confessed in court to taking part in extortion, admitting that he and another expelled leader, Apu, split Tk 10 million equally. Riaz stated in his confession that, as a poor man, he could not resist the temptation of money. He also said that he trusted the police and went to the house where he was later arrested.
Confession Details Recorded in Court
On Sunday, 3 July, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Sefatullah recorded Riaz’s statement.
- Riaz admitted to assisting the police at various times with arrests.
- On the night of 17 July, senior vice-president of the anti-discrimination student movement, Zakir Hossain Manzur, contacted the Gulshan zone’s Deputy Commissioner (DC) via phone.
- Riaz informed the DC that Shammi Ahmed, International Affairs Secretary of the Gulshan Thana Awami League and former MP, was at his residence.
- The DC reportedly informed the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gulshan police station.
At around 2:00 am, Riaz, Manzur, Jane Alam Apu, Sabab Hossain, Atik Shahriar, Sadakoum Siam, Tanim Wahid, and Atik went to the police station. The OC told them that an operation could not be conducted at such a late hour and they would have to wait until Fajr prayer.
After waiting, they joined a Gulshan police team and went to Shammi Ahmed’s home, led by the OC (Investigation). However, Shammi was not at home and they returned around 7:30 am.
Incident at Shammi Ahmed’s House
After the police operation, Apu told Riaz that he had taken Shammi’s AirPods from the house. The two returned around 10:00 am to return the AirPods.
- Apu entered the house on the pretext of drinking water.
- Apu then told Shammi’s husband that Shammi was at home and that they intended to hand her over to the police.
- Shammi’s husband, fearing the situation, offered them money.
- Apu demanded Tk 50 million, but Shammi’s husband said he did not have that amount.
- Eventually, Shammi’s husband handed over Tk 10 million, which Riaz and Apu divided equally.
Further Extortion and Arrest
- On 26 July, Riaz sent Ibrahim Hossain Munna, Siam, and Sadman to collect the remaining Tk 40 million from the same house.
- Riaz denied being present at Gulshan Mor.
- He trusted the police’s word when they instructed him to go to the house, where they arrested him and others with the money.
- He reiterated: “I am a poor man; I could not resist the temptation of money.”
Court Proceedings and Custody
- On the day of the confession, Riaz and three other accused were produced before the court.
- Riaz voluntarily agreed to give his confession.
- The investigating officer, Inspector Mokhlesur Rahman of Gulshan police, applied to record Riaz’s statement.
- After recording, Riaz was sent to jail.
- The court also ordered the detention of the other three accused: Md. Ibrahim Hossain, Sakadawn Siam, and Sadman Sadab.
- On 2 August, Jane Alam Apu, joint convener (expelled) of the Bangladesh Democratic Student League, was granted four days’ remand and remains in custody.
Background on Apu
- Soon after becoming coordinator, Apu brought an expensive private car to her village.
- Jane Alam Apu was arrested on Friday and hails from the lower-middle-class family of Anwar Hossain in Punghardi village, Akkelpur Upazila, Joypurhat.
- Her father died nearly ten years ago.
- Apu studies law at Green University in Dhaka.
Local Reactions and Allegations
- Student leader and online activist Arman Hossain noted that Apu brought an expensive private car to the area just days after becoming coordinator.
- Akkelpur Upazila Student League convener Dewan Tanvin Newaz said:
“Apu was part of the student league around 2022 but was expelled due to a scandal involving women. Since then, she has associated with different groups at different times. She has brought shame to the people of this district and Akkelpur. We demand her punishment.”
Family Information
- Apu’s mother remarried after her father’s death.
- Her only younger sister lives with their mother.
- Apu’s maternal grandparents live in Kathalbari village, Akkelpur Upazila.
- Apu’s grandmother, Akhlakunnesa Bakul, mentioned that Apu seldom visits after her mother remarried.
- Apu’s aunt, Jasmine Akter, said:
“I knew Apu had become a big leader in Dhaka, but she did not keep in contact with us. I heard she has remarried in Dhaka.”
Comments