‘July warrior’ Tahrima arrested in extortion case
Tahrima Jannat Surovi is also accused of making vulgar comments on social media about the interim government’s adviser and the army chief.
Joint forces have arrested a 21-year-old woman in Gazipur in connection with an extortion case filed at Kaliakair Police Station.
The arrestee, Tahrima Jannat Surovi, who identified herself as a "July Warrior" on Facebook, was detained from her home in the Gopalpur Tekpara area of Tongi last night (24 December), confirmed Kaliakair Thana Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khondaker Nasir Uddin.
After the arrest, she was handed over to Kaliakair Police Station, the OC said.
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"There is an extortion case against Tahrima Jannat Surovi. Journalist Naimur Rahman filed the case. She is being presented in court in this case, and the legal process is ongoing," OC Khondaker Nasir Uddin told reporters.
According to police sources, Tahrima is accused of involvement in extortion, abduction, intimidation and blackmail through social media platforms.
She is also accused of regularly making vulgar and offensive comments on social media about an adviser to the interim government and the army chief.
Police said Tahrima is the daughter of Selim Mia of the area. Although she introduced herself as a "July Warrior" and a "coordinator" of the 2024 mass uprising, police said there are specific allegations against her involving extortion, abduction, and blackmail.
According to police sources, Tahrima was a warrant-listed accused in a case filed at Kaliakair Police Station by journalist Naimur Rahman Durjoy. The case includes allegations of abduction for ransom, issuing death threats, and blackmail through social media.
Commenting on the arrest, Bashir Ahmed (Apu), convener of the Gazipur district committee of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, said, "Tahrima was active with us during the anti-discrimination student movement. However, she is not part of any of our committees."
He added, "If she has been arrested in connection with a specific case, we have no objection. But if she has been detained for political reasons, that would be unfortunate."
Reiterating the police position, Kaliakair Police Station OC Nasir Uddin said, "She has been arrested in accordance with a court warrant. There are specific allegations of extortion and blackmail against her. Preparations are underway to send her to court after completing the legal process."
