Ex-Army Major Hafiz remanded for four days

A Dhaka court on Sunday (November 1) placed retired Major Dr Khondaker Abdul Hafiz on a four-day remand in a case filed over alleged anti-state conspiracy, provocative social media campaigns and financing of a banned organisation.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rakibul Hasan passed the order after a hearing on November 1. Hafiz was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) police from the capital's Banani area late Saturday night.

The investigation officer, Inspector Sheikh Bashir Ahmed of the DB's Cyber and Special Crime (South) division, had sought a seven-day remand for interrogation.

According to the remand petition, Hafiz, along with several retired military officers, allegedly used WhatsApp groups and platforms named 'Unity Care' and 'Public Parliament' to raise funds, circulate provocative content and maintain contact with fugitive Awami League leaders and former army chief General (retd) Aziz Ahmed.

Investigators also alleged that his Facebook account and other online platforms were used to incite violence, spread anti-government propaganda and promote activities aimed at destabilising the country.

The DB sought his remand to identify other suspects, recover digital evidence, trace alleged domestic and foreign intelligence links and uncover the conspiracy.

The case was filed on October 12 at Pallabi Police Station by DB Inspector Md Ali Akbar. The allegations also include attempts to rehabilitate the banned Awami League through illegal fundraising and organise anti-state activities. 

M.A.L/AH