DB arrests Jamaat leader Akhtaruzzaman

Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested Jamaat-e-Islami leader Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman on Friday evening in a case filed against him with Airport Police Station over alleged disorder at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

DB Chief Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam told The Daily Observer that Akhtaruzzaman was arrested from his residence in Dhaka Cantonment. Further legal proceedings will be initiated after his interrogation, he said.

Earlier, Airport security officer Md Shahriar Alam Sajib filed the case against Akhtaruzzaman, accusing him of obstructing government duties, causing injury, using criminal force, intentional insult and intimidation.

Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kamrul Hasan Talukder confirmed the case and said police were investigating the allegations.

According to the case statement, passengers became agitated on Thursday after a delay in receiving baggage from Medina-bound Biman flight BG-338 amid heavy congestion.

When Airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Ragib Samad arrived to control the situation, Akhtaruzzaman allegedly verbally abused him, pushed him by the neck and threatened to assault him and force him out of the area. He also allegedly made indecent remarks about the aviation minister.

The statement further alleged that Akhtaruzzaman became angry when Security Supervisor Warrant Officer Mohammad Kamal Uddin intervened after his associates began recording videos in a restricted area. Akhtaruzzaman allegedly verbally and physically assaulted him.

He also allegedly threw passengers' Zamzam water bottles and behaved aggressively towards a representative of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, according to the case statement.