Ex-DU hall VP Emi walks out of jail two months after arrest in 7 March speech case
Emi was jailed in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over playing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s 7 March speech near Shahbagh Police Station
Former vice-president (VP) of Dhaka University's Shamsunnahar Hall union Sk Tasnim Afroz Emi walked out of jail this afternoon (7 May), two months after her arrest in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act over playing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 7 March speech.
Emi was released around 2:45pm after prison authorities verified her bail documents and confirmed there were no other pending detention orders against her, Jail Superintendent Shirin Akter told The Business Standard.
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Earlier on 30 April, the High Court granted Emi interim bail in the case.
According to the case details, on the night of 7 March this year, Emi and several others announced a programme near Shahbagh Police Station to play the 7 March speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
While the speech was being played over a loudspeaker mounted on a rickshaw, a group of Dhaka University students, including Ducsu leaders AB Zubair, Musaddiq Ali Ibne Mohammad, and Jatiya Chhatra Shakti convener Tahmid Al Muddassir Chowdhury, allegedly obstructed the programme.
At one stage, AB Zubair and Musaddiq reportedly took Emi and Abdullah Al Mamun, along with the rickshaw, inside Shahbagh Police Station. Supporters alleged that Abdullah Al Mamun was assaulted inside the station premises.
Police later detained them that night. The following day, Emi and two others were shown arrested in a case filed by police under the Anti-Terrorism Act and were sent to jail.
Emi was received at the prison gate by her parents and in-laws following her release.
Speaking to journalists today after walking out of jail, Emi said she respected and upheld the spirit of the Liberation War and had played the 7 March speech for that reason.
"There was nothing wrong in doing so. Forces opposed to the Liberation War created a mob to stop us and kept us detained through a false case. One day, the people of the country will judge this," she said.
Her father, Sheikh Golam Iqbal, said he was proud of his daughter for standing by the Liberation War spirit despite being imprisoned.
"That speech was also broadcast by television channels that day. If that was not a crime, then why was my daughter's act considered an offence? I leave that judgment to the people," he said.
