Theatre personality Ehsanul Aziz Babu arrested in anti-terrorism act case, put on remand

Theatre personality Ehsanul Aziz Babu was arrested from Mohammadpur in Dhaka by the Gazipur Metropolitan Police (GMP) in connection with a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 last night (18 March).

Babu was produced before the Gazipur Chief Judicial Magistrate Court this afternoon (19 March). 

Judge Iqbal Hossain of the court granted a two-day remand following a 10-day remand plea filed by police, said court sources.

According to the case statement, the arrest stems from a social media post made during the Ijtema congregation in February, which threatened a militant attack. 

Following the threat, police arrested Alamin Hossain, a Jubo League activist, on 15 February. Alamin later confessed to making the threat, leading SI Masud Anwar Akand of Sadar Metro Police Station to file a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act. 

Subsequent investigations using information technology led to the arrests of Roni Sarkar, Saifur Rahman Shaon, and Siam Hossain.

Based on information gathered from these individuals and their mobile phones, police arrested Ehsanul Aziz Babu last night, said the statement.

Taherul Haque Chauhan, additional commissioner of police (crime) of GMP, said the arrests were made following a series of raids based on mobile phone records and confessions. 

He claimed that the arrested individuals are involved in anti-state and public security activities, and that there is sufficient evidence against them.

Following Babu's arrest, netizens expressed condemnation and demanded his release.