Forced confession video made through Apu, claims wife

A video confession linked to an extortion case against Jannat Alam Apu, expelled joint convener of the Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Songshod, has gone viral on social media. Apu was arrested in connection with a ransom demand at the residence of a former MP in Gulshan.

Apu’s wife, Brishti, alleged at a press conference in Shahbagh on Thursday that BNP leader Ishraque Hossain forcibly made Apu record the confession video on Wednesday night.

Brishti stated that Apu was missing from 11:30 PM on July 31 until 7:30 AM the following morning, during which she was taken to an unknown location. “The 35-minute confession video circulating was recorded there after Apu was gradually coerced into it,” she said.

According to Brishti, Apu was detained in front of a house in Gopibagh at 7:30 AM but was falsely shown as arrested after 11 PM. She accused law enforcement of torturing Apu during a four-hour window and over a four-day remand period. The family also faced harassment from police and the Detective Branch (DB).

Brishti denied extortion allegations against Apu, saying she was used as a pawn by a group seeking to serve their own interests. She specifically named Ishrak Hossain, claiming Apu was arrested right in front of his house and forced into making the video.

The authorities have yet to respond to these claims.