Date: 27 July 2023

PRESS RELEASE

URGENT MESSAGE FROM RUHUL KABIR RIZVI, THE SENIOR JOINT SECRETARY GENERAL OF BANGLADESH NATIONALIST PARTY-BNP:

Police arrested Mir Ashraf Ali, the former commissioner of Ward No. 26, Dhaka City Corporation, and his son, Barrister Muntaha Ali, last night from their house. Mr. Ashraf Ali was seriously injured during the arrest, including broken legs. He is currently being treated at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital in police custody.

In addition, Shafiqul Haque Milan, a lawyer and the Relief and Rehabilitation Affairs Secretary of BNP central committee, Abdul Quddus Akon, Assistant-Organizing Secretary of BNP, and Anwar Hossain Ujjal, former General Secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP along with approximately two hundred leaders and activists who came to Dhaka to attend the BNP's Grand Rally, which will be held in Dhaka on 28 July 2023, were also arrested on 26 July night in the capital by the various police units.

The police also raided the Midway Hotel and the Victoria Hotel next to the BNP central office near Naya Paltan. They arrested more than 300 leaders and activists who boarded there to attend the Grand Rally on 28 July.

I strongly condemn such police actions against freedom of assembly as part of democratic practice ahead of the upcoming elections and demand the immediate release of the arrested leaders and activists.

Message Sender-

Muhammad Munir Hossain

Assistant Office Secretary

Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP