Nahid Islam Sheltered Main Extortion Ringleader Riyad, Alleges Zulkar Nine Sayer

Abdur Razzak Bin Sulaiman Riyad, former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was caught red-handed while allegedly extorting money in Dhaka’s upscale Gulshan area. Police arrested Riyad along with four other activists, triggering widespread outrage across the country. In the aftermath, a series of sensational revelations began surfacing regarding Riyad’s alleged extortion racket and the organisational web surrounding him.

Allegations by Journalist Zulkar Nine Sayer

From abroad, Zulkar Nine Sayer Khan, a Europe-based journalist and political activist, made direct allegations on social media implicating Nahid Islam, the Convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), as Riyad’s protector.

In a Facebook post dated 31 July, Sayer stated that Riyad is not just a lone individual, but the kingpin of a well-organised extortion syndicate, allegedly shielded by political and organisational backing. He specifically accused Nahid Islam of having provided Riyad with refuge and patronage.

“I was aware that Riyad was under your (Nahid Islam’s) protection. Later, I discovered that he also had close ties with both you and your father,” wrote Sayer in his post.

Denial of Involvement in Riyad’s Arrest

Addressing speculation about his involvement in the arrest, Zulkar Nine Sayer clarified:

“You’ve become angry with me based on false information—believing that I played a key role in Riyad’s capture. I want to state unequivocally that I had no hand in his arrest.”

Key Questions Raised by Zulkar Nine Sayer

Under the heading “Some Questions”, Sayer posed several critical points to provoke reflection on the background and influence of student political movements linked to the extortion case:

Final Clarification

In a concluding postscript, Sayer reiterated his non-involvement:

“Nahid Islam, for your information, I did not place Riyad under any form of surveillance. And the CCTV footage in which he was caught while collecting extortion money—that camera wasn’t installed by me either.”

Summary Table

The incident continues to reverberate across political and activist circles, as allegations of extortion and political complicity unfold in public discourse.