JMBF asserts that the arrest and subsequent detention of prominent lawyers such as Advocate Khan Md. Alauddin, Advocate Shahidul Haque Khan Panna, and Advocate M. Matiur Rahman in Pirojpur on March 02, 2025, Advocate Md. Nurul Haque in Chattogram on February 21, 2025, Advocate Rezaul Karim Khokon in Comilla, Advocate Didarul Islam Didar in Noakhali, Advocate Majid Khan in Dhaka on February 10, 2025, Advocate Zahirul Islam in Chandpur on February 02, 2025, Advocate Golam Kibaria in Dhaka, Advocate Shamim Ahmed in Habiganj on February 1, 2025, Advocate Helal Uddin in Chandpur on January 22, 2025, Advocate Latifur Rahman in Netrokona on January 13, 2025, Advocate Avani Mohan Das in Sunamganj on January 06, 2025, Advocate Shamim Alam Sarkar in Dinajpur on December 25, 2024, Advocate Subash Chandra Bose in Narail on November 21, 2024, and many others are deeply concerning.
JMBF believes that these individuals, who have long served as champions of justice, have now been silenced under politically motivated charges, their professional conduct demonized due to their association with political movements. Such actions are not only an attack on the independence of the legal profession but also a direct assault on the freedoms of expression, association, and assembly—fundamental rights in any democratic society.
JMBF stated that these unjust arrests raise serious alarms about the increasing erosion of the rule of law in Bangladesh under the current government. What is happening in Bangladesh is a blatant attempt to stifle dissent and suppress those who dare to voice opposing views. This undermines the integrity of the judiciary, which is meant to uphold justice, impartiality, and fairness. Instead, the government is manipulating legal institutions for political purposes, creating an environment where lawyers and human rights defenders are increasingly at risk of arbitrary detention.
Robert Simon, a prominent French human rights activist, and Chief Adviser of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, has consistently spoken out against such politically motivated repression. He condemns these actions unequivocally, stating, "The arbitrary detention and abuse of legal professionals for their political views is a direct affront to international human rights standards. The rule of law is the foundation of democracy, and these actions are undermining that foundation in Bangladesh."
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladesh's renowned human rights lawyer and the Founder President of JMBF, echoes these sentiments. He emphasizes, "The government’s current approach to suppressing legal professionals who stand for justice and fairness is an attack on the very principles of the legal system. These lawyers are not criminals; they are defenders of rights, and their arrest is an attack on the foundation of Bangladesh’s democracy."
JMBF believes that the arrest and imprisonment of these lawyers should be immediately condemned by the international community and human rights organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union. JMBF calls for their immediate unconditional release and the dropping of all charges for the reinstatement of the rule of law in Bangladesh. JusticeMakers Bangladesh stands in solidarity with all individuals who are unjustly persecuted for standing up for truth, justice, and the protection of human rights.
The international community must continue applying pressure on the government of Bangladesh to ensure that the legal and human rights of its citizens, especially legal professionals, are protected. JMBF will continue to advocate for those who are wrongfully imprisoned, and we will not rest until justice is served.
Thank you.
I. Three Lawyers in Pirojpur, Including Former PP and GP Advocates, Arrested in Sabotage Case After Court Appearance
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, police arrested former Public Prosecutor (PP) Advocate Khan Md. Alauddin, former Government Pleader (GP) Advocate Shahidul Haque Khan Panna, and Advocate M. Matiur Rahman from the road in front of the Pirojpur District Judge Court in connection with a sabotage case filed on October 18, 2024, in which they were listed as unidentified suspects. At that time, agitated BNP leaders and activists had attacked them.
After the fall of the Awami government on August 5 of the previous year, multiple cases were filed against them in different police stations. However, they had secured bail from the High Court in all these cases. On the morning of March 2, 2025, they appeared before the District Judge Court and applied for bail. Since they were already on bail from the High Court, the court granted their bail and scheduled the next hearing for March 10, 2025.
As news of their presence spread, BNP leaders and activists began gathering at the court premises. During this time, under the leadership of District Chhatra Dal's Organizational Secretary, Kumar, Chhatra Dal staged a procession demanding their arrest. As the three advocates were leaving the court, BNP activists launched an attack on them. Police intervened, rescued them, and took them to the police station, where they were arrested as unidentified suspects in the sabotage case filed on October 18, 2024.
II. Police Arrest Advocate Md. Nurul Haque from His House in Chattogram
On February 21, 2025, police arrested Advocate Md. Nurul Haque from his ancestral home in Uttar Chatari village of Anwara Upazila, Chattogram. He was taken into custody by Anwara police.
Later, on the afternoon of Saturday, February 22, 2025, the police sent him to court, accusing him in a case related to the July-August Uprising.
III. Advocate Rezaul Karim Khokon Arrested in Comilla
On February 10, 2025, Burichang police arrested Advocate Rezaul Karim Khokon, a lawyer at the Comilla Judge Court. According to police sources, he was detained during a police operation in various areas of the upazila.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azizul Haque stated that he was arrested for alleged involvement in a case related to the attack on the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. The Comilla District Detective Branch (DB) police took him into custody.
IV. Advocate Didarul Islam Didar Arrested in Noakhali
On February 10, 2025, Advocate Didarul Islam Didar (45), a member of the Noakhali District Advocate Bar, was arrested by police. A team from Senbagh Police Station apprehended him from the Noakhali Judge Court area on Monday.
According to police sources, he was initially arrested under Section 54 based on various online allegations of anti-state activities. Additionally, multiple political cases have been filed against him at Senbagh Police Station. On Tuesday, he was presented before the Noakhali Judicial Court.
V. Advocate Majid Khan Arrested in Dhaka
On Monday, February 10, 2025, at approximately 9:15 PM, Advocate Majid Khan was arrested from the Uttara area of Dhaka.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallik stated that Majid Khan faces charges related to murder, arson, and vandalism during the Habiganj Sadar incident and the July mass uprising.
VI. Former President of Chandpur Bar Association Advocate Zahirul Islam Arrested
On February 2, 2025, Advocate Zahirul Islam, former president of the Chandpur District Advocate Bar Association, was arrested by Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Bahar Mia of Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station, along with his force, from the Chairman Ghat area and taken to the police station.
Sources indicate that on February 1, 2025, Advocate Zahirul Islam protested a statement made by Mohammad Billal Hossain, the Deputy Assistant Registrar of the Chandpur District Cooperative Office. This led to a heated argument between the two, which reportedly resulted in his arrest.
However, another source claims that on February 1, during a memorial event for the martyrs of the July Uprising, Advocate Zahirul Islam allegedly assaulted Mohammad Billal Hossain. He was accused of causing chaos at the event and aggressively confronting the cooperative official. The incident gained traction on social and mainstream media, sparking mixed reactions in the city.
It is worth noting that Advocate Zahirul Islam was also named as a key suspect in a case filed over the August 4, 2024, attack, vandalism, and assault during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in the Chandpur Bus Stand area. That case was filed against 110 individuals, including Chandpur District Awami League General Secretary Abu Nayeem Patwari Dulal.
VII. Advocate Golam Kibaria Arrested in Dhaka
On February 2, 2025, Advocate Golam Kibaria was arrested in the capital, Dhaka. Golam Kibaria hails from Dharmapasha village in Dharmapasha Upazila, Sunamganj.
According to the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kolabagan Police Station, he was arrested from his residence in Mohammadpur on Saturday night. On Sunday, he was presented before the court in connection with a case filed on September 7 of the previous year at Kolabagan Police Station.
VIII. Advocate Shamim Ahmed Arrested While Distributing Leaflets in Habiganj's Shyamli Area
On February 1, 2025, Advocate Mohammad Shamim Ahmed, a member of the Habiganj District Advocate Bar Association and former APP, was arrested by student protesters during a leaflet distribution event in the northern Shyamli area of Habiganj city. He was later handed over to the Habiganj Sadar Police Station.
Subsequently, he was arrested as an unidentified suspect in a case filed by Rahim Mia on November 5, 2024, who alleged involvement in the anti-discrimination movement protests.
According to police sources, the case is related to an incident on August 4, 2024, when protests occurred near the Tinkona Pukurpar area of the city. Rahim Mia, a student leader from the Gosairpur area of Habiganj city, filed a case on November 5, 2024, naming 48 individuals and accusing 150-200 unknown persons. In the case, Shamim Ahmed has been identified as a suspect. The case alleges that, during the August 4 protests, Awami League leaders opened fire and attacked the protesters, severely damaging Rahim Mia's vision.
IX. Advocate Helal Uddin Sent to Jail in Chandpur
On January 22, 2025, Advocate Helal Uddin (45), a member of the Chandpur Advocate Bar Association, was sent to jail custody in connection with a case filed over vandalism and extortion allegations at an iftar event of former State Minister for Education Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Haque Milon in 2022.
He was sent to jail custody when he appeared at the Kachua Magistrate Court seeking bail. Magistrate Tanmoy Kumar Das rejected his bail plea and ordered his imprisonment. Advocate Helal Uddin had been on an eight-week bail granted by the High Court. However, Tuesday was scheduled for his hearing in the lower court.
The case was filed on August 26, 2024, by Matiur Rahman, son of Jinnat Ali from Gobindapur village, Kachua Upazila. The case accused 89 individuals by name, including Advocate Helal Uddin, along with 500 unidentified individuals, for their alleged involvement in vandalism and extortion at the 2022 iftar and prayer event of Dr. Milon.
X. Advocate Latifur Rahman of Netrokona District Bar Association Sent to Jail in Sabotage Case
Advocate Latifur Rahman, a member of the Netrokona District Bar Association, has been sent to jail. On Monday, January 13, at noon, he appeared before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court of Netrokona and applied for bail, but the judge rejected his plea.
Earlier, he had been granted six weeks of bail by the High Court. However, after the bail period expired, he appeared before the lower court seeking an extension. Chief Judicial Magistrate S.M. Rajibul Hossain denied his bail and ordered his imprisonment.
According to court sources, on September 27, a case was filed against Advocate Latifur Rahman and 29 other leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations, along with 200 unidentified individuals. The case was filed by Fazlul Haque, convener of the Mohanganj municipal BNP.
In the complaint, Fazlul Haque alleged that on July 18, during an anti-discrimination student movement, the accused carried out armed attacks on students and the public in the Mohanganj Station Road area. Additionally, he accused them of vandalizing and looting residences in the Tengapara area, brandishing firearms and local weapons, and detonating cocktails.
XI. Advocate Avani Mohan Das Arrested in Connection with Anti-Discrimination Movement Case in Sunamganj
On January 6, 2025, Advocate Avani Mohan Das, a member of the Sunamganj District Advocate Bar Association, was arrested by the police. He was apprehended in the afternoon from the Shalla Upazila headquarters.
The arrest is related to the August 4, 2024, incident near the Old Bus Stand in the district town, where Awami League leaders and activists allegedly attacked student protesters and police during the Anti-Discrimination Movement. During the attack, Johur Ali from Dowara Bazar was injured by gunshots.
On September 2, Johur Ali's brother, Hafiz Ahmed, filed a case against 99 named individuals and 200 unidentified suspects. In this case, Advocate Avani Mohan Das was arrested as an unidentified suspect.
XII. Dinajpur Advocate Bar Association Member Shamim Alam Sarkar Arrested in Anti-Discrimination Movement Case
On December 25, 2024, Advocate M. Shamim Alam Sarkar Babu (55), a member of the Dinajpur District Advocate Bar Association, was arrested and sent to jail in connection with a case related to the Anti-Discrimination Movement.
He had been absconding in a case filed by Rabiul Islam of Baluadanga, Dinajpur, who was seriously injured in an attack during the student-public movement against discrimination on August 4.
At around 12:00 PM on December 25, police arrested him from his residence near Nimgarh Fulbari Bus Stand in Dinajpur. Later, he was produced before the Dinajpur Senior Judicial Magistrate Court. His lawyer applied for bail, but the judge rejected the plea and ordered his imprisonment.
XIII. Advocate Subash Chandra Bose Sent to Jail in Anti-Discrimination Movement Case in Narail
On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Advocate Subash Chandra Bose, a member of the Narail District Advocate Bar Association, was sent to jail in connection with a case filed over the August 4, 2024, attack and shooting of student-public protesters during the Anti-Discrimination Movement.
On the same day, he surrendered before the Narail Chief Judicial Magistrate Court and applied for bail. However, the court rejected his plea and ordered his imprisonment.
According to the case details, on August 4, near Russel Bridge in Narail, leaders and activists of the Awami League and its allied organizations allegedly opened fire, hurled bombs, and threw bricks at protesters during the Anti-Discrimination Movement. A large number of BNP leaders and activists were injured in the attack.
Following the incident, Mozahidur Rahman Palash, General Secretary of Narail Sadar Upazila BNP, filed a case naming Advocate Subash Chandra Bose along with 90 others, while also accusing 400-500 unidentified individuals.
On November 5, Advocate Subash Chandra Bose applied for bail in the High Court. After the hearing, the court directed him to appear before the lower court within four weeks. In compliance with the order, he appeared before the court on November 21 and applied for bail, but Narail Chief Judicial Magistrate Md. Hadiuzzaman rejected his plea and ordered him to be sent to jail.
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