Latif Siddique, 15 others sent to jail in Anti-Terrorism Act case

A Dhaka court on Friday sent former minister and freedom fighter Abdul Latif Siddique and 15 others to jail in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The case involves allegations of conspiracy against the interim government and attempts to incite armed conflict.

The case was filed by Sub-Inspector Md Amirul Islam of Shahbagh Police Station, said Officer-in-Charge Khalid Monsur.

Metropolitan Magistrate Sarah Farzana Haque rejected the bail petitions of the accused and ordered their immediate detention.

The accused include Dhaka University Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, Md Abdullah Al Amin, Manjurul Alam, Kazi ATM Anisur Rahman Bulbul, Golam Mostafa, Md Mohiul Islam alias Babu, Md Zakir Hossain, Md Tawsiful Bari Khan, Md Amir Hossain Sumon, Md Al Amin, Md Nazmul Ahsan, Syed Shahed Hasan, Md Shafiqul Islam Delowar, Dewan Mohammad Ali, and Md Abdullahil Kayum.

SI Toufiq Hasan of Shahbagh Police Station urged the court to keep the accused in custody. Additional Public Prosecutor Shamsuddoha Sumon opposed their bail applications.

According to the case statement, on August 28, several people chanted slogans such as “Awami fascists” during Latif Siddique’s speech at the Jatiya Press Club’s Dhaka Reporters’ Unity auditorium.

The statement also noted that ‘Mancha 71,’ a platform launched on August 5 to resist alleged distortions of Liberation War history, held a roundtable attended by around 70-80 people including the accused.

The case alleges Siddique used the platform to instigate efforts to destabilize the country through armed struggle and to overthrow the interim government.

The accused remain in jail as the investigation continues.