Former DGFI Director Afzal Naser remanded again

A Dhaka court has granted a fresh three-day remand for Md Afzal Naser, a dismissed director of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), in connection with the fatal shooting of a protester during last year’s July Uprising.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mehedi Hasan issued the order on Saturday following the conclusion of an initial three-day interrogation period. 

The investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Ashraful Alam of Uttara East Police Station, had requested a seven-day extension, citing the need to uncover the full extent of the suspect's alleged role in the violence.

According to the remand petition, preliminary investigations suggest that Naser was directly involved in coordinating violent operations to suppress student-led demonstrations. 
Police officials stated that evidence indicates the accused provided directions for the crackdown that led to multiple casualties in the Uttara East area.

The specific case revolves around the death of Mahmudul Hasan, who was participating in a procession during the anti-discrimination movement on August 5, 2024. Case documents state that as protesters gathered near the Azampur foot overbridge on the Dhaka�"Mymensingh highway around 4:00 pm, a group of individuals opened fire. Mahmudul was struck by a bullet and died at the scene.

Naser was apprehended by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police during a pre-dawn raid at a residence in Mirpur DOHS on March 30. Since his arrest, he has been interrogated in relation to several other cases linked to the unrest.

The victim’s family subsequently initiated a murder case at Uttara East Police Station against Naser and several unidentified accomplices. 

Investigators maintain that further questioning is essential to identify other participants and gather more evidence regarding the chain of command during the incident.