Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Bangladesh Arrests Awami League Leader in Anti-Terrorism Case
Bangladesh police arrested former lawmaker Mahfuzur Rahman Mita and his driver, Selim.
A court ordered that they remain in custody for six days while investigators continue their work.
Police had asked the court to approve 10 days of custody.
The case is connected to a procession held near Dhaka’s Mohakhali Bus Terminal on June 18.
Police allege that people at the procession shouted anti-government slogans and set off explosive cocktails.
The case was filed under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act.
The arrests are part of a broader campaign against Awami League members.
The Awami League says the campaign is limiting democratic rights and the freedom to observe national or religious occasions.
Former Awami League lawmaker Mahfuzur Rahman Mita was placed on six-day remand in Dhaka.
Mita and his driver Selim were arrested from a residence in Dhaka’s Gulshan-2 area.
Police sought 10 days’ custody for both men in an Anti-Terrorism case.
The case concerns a June 18 procession near Mohakhali Bus Terminal involving Awami League and Chhatra League activists.
The arrests come amid a wider crackdown, including 53 recent detentions, which the Awami League condemned.
- Who
- Former Awami League lawmaker Mahfuzur Rahman Mita and his driver Selim were arrested; police and prosecutors brought the case.
- What
- A Dhaka court ordered six-day remand for Mita and Selim in an Anti-Terrorism case.
- When
- Mita and Selim were arrested on Tuesday; the case concerns a June 18 procession, while the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The arrests occurred in Dhaka’s Gulshan-2 area, and the case concerns a procession near Mohakhali Bus Terminal.
- Why
- Police allege that participants in the procession raised anti-government slogans and exploded cocktails, causing public panic.
Authorities’ Allegations
Awami League’s Response
Conduct at the June 18 procession
Authorities’ Allegations
Police allege that participants shouted anti-government slogans and exploded cocktails, creating panic among the public.
Awami League’s Response
The articles do not report a specific response from Mita or his lawyers to these allegations.
Recent arrests and democratic rights
Authorities’ Allegations
Authorities have arrested Awami League figures in cases linked to alleged political gatherings and demonstrations.
Awami League’s Response
The Awami League condemned the arrests, saying they show little room remains for democratic rights or observing religious and national occasions.
- Court order
- Six-day remand for Mahfuzur Rahman Mita and his driver Selim
- Police request
- Investigators sought 10 days’ custody for each accused
- Case
- Anti-Terrorism case registered with Tejgaon Industrial Area Police Station
- Arrest location
- A residence in Gulshan-2, Dhaka
- Incident location
- Near Mohakhali Bus Terminal in Dhaka
- Reported gathering
- Around 35–40 Awami League and Chhatra League leaders and activists
- Recent wider arrests
- Bangladesh police reportedly arrested 53 Awami League leaders and activists last month