Bangladeshi-origin US national arrested, sent to jail over plot to overthrow interim govt

Enayet Karim Chowdhury, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was sent to jail yesterday (13 September) after being arrested for suspicious movements and alleged conspiracy to overthrow the interim government.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Dilruba Afroz Tithi ordered authorities to send him to jail after a hearing. 

The court also scheduled a remand hearing for tomorrow (15 September).

According to police, Enayet Karim was arrested for suspicious movements in a car around Dhaka's Minto Road, known for residences of ministers.

He was arrested under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code on suspicion of involvement in multiple crimes. 

The suspect reportedly intended to gather information on the positions of government and private sector leaders, as well as political figures, to hand over to the foreign intelligence agency.

Authorities have requested a seven-day remand to conduct intensive interrogation, collect further information, and identify other individuals allegedly involved in the conspiracy to overthrow the interim government.

The case alleges that Enayet Karim Chowdhury is in Bangladesh as an agent of a foreign intelligence agency attempting to overthrow the interim government, threatening public security and national sovereignty.

The accused was presented before the court yesterday and the investigation officer, Ramna Model Police Station Sub-Inspector Md Azizul Hakim, applied for the remand.

The remand petition states that on Saturday morning at 10:30am, accused Enayet Karim Chowdhury was seen acting suspiciously in a Prado car on Minto Road. His vehicle was stopped, and when questioned, he was taken into police custody after failing to provide any explanation. Police seized two iPhones, which, upon analysis, revealed significant conspiratorial information against the government.

During interrogation, Enayet Karim reportedly admitted that he is a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin. He arrived in Dhaka from New York on 6 September. 

He identified himself as a contractual agent of a foreign intelligence agency and claimed that the interim government of Bangladesh is in a fragile state and has distanced itself from the army. 

According to the investigation officer, Enayet stated that he came to Bangladesh to facilitate the formation of a new national or caretaker government by replacing the current interim government.  

The application further states that the suspect stayed at the Sonargaon Hotel on 6 and 7 September before moving to his current address in Gulshan. He claimed to have held secret meetings with several high-ranking government and policy officials, influential political leaders, and business figures. 

Enayet alleged that the US government is dissatisfied with the current interim administration. He also reportedly said that the Supreme Court would scrap the judgment cancelling the caretaker government system on 21 October. 

Enayet allegedly stated that if the caretaker system is reinstated, a new national or caretaker government, supported by the army, would be formed. He claimed that the US would determine its members and leadership, said the remand petition.