Arrests made over AL's attack at Bangladesh Consulate in New York: Embassy press minister
“As of the second week of September, the US government informed us that multiple individuals have been arrested. However, they did not disclose the exact number, as the investigation is still underway,” he says
Several arrests have been made in connection with the violent disruption carried out by activists from the US chapter of the banned Awami League at the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York on 24 August, according to Golam Mortuza, press minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC.
Confirming the development in a Facebook post today (19 September), Mortuza wrote, "As of the second week of September, the US government informed us that multiple individuals have been arrested. However, they did not disclose the exact number, as the investigation is still underway."
He noted that both the Bangladesh Embassy and the New York Consulate are closely monitoring the matter, in coordination with the New York Diplomatic Security Wing and the New York Mayor's Office. "The consulate has already submitted a written complaint to US authorities, including names of the attackers and video footage of the incident."
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On the legal process, Mortuza explained, "So far, no case has been filed, only a complaint has been lodged. This is how the legal procedure in the US works.The stage for filing a case has not yet arrived."
"Once the investigation is complete, US authorities will formally notify the New York Consulate and the Embassy. A case will then be pursued based on the findings," he added.
He further wrote, "Some are asking why it's taking so long. The US investigation process is generally time-consuming. No investigation is expedited under anyone's influence, nor can the consulate or embassy comment during an ongoing probe."
Addressing speculation on social media, Mortuza clarified, "Some people are commenting however they wish about the attack on the consulate, even mentioning my name and claiming that a case was filed and that I compromised with the Awami League. This is completely false. No such compromise has taken place, nor is it possible."
Rejecting allegations of compromise with the Awami League, he said, "There has been no compromise with the AL, which is banned in Bangladesh for terrorist activities and crimes against humanity. No one has the scope to do that here — certainly not me.
"In the US, no one can negotiate or influence investigators on such cases. This is not Bangladesh, though perhaps we tend to forget that when making baseless comments."
Mortuza assured that the matter would be transparently resolved. "Once the investigation is complete, the New York Consulate will clarify the outcome. There is no room for secrecy or compromise here."
On 24 August, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam was harassed by Awami League activists and supporters while entering the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York.
According to media reports, protesters, waving AL flags and chanting slogans such as "Joy Bangla" and "Joy Bangabandhu", threw eggs at Mahfuj. They also shouted slogans against Mahfuj, the interim government, and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Some of the demonstrators also broke the consulate's glass doors.
