Two expats, journo among 69 named in case over banned Chhatra League's procession in Ctg

Two expatriates, a photojournalist and an SSC examinee, have been named as accused in a case filed over a flash procession allegedly organised by the banned Chhatra League in Chattogram's Hathazari upazila, prompting claims that some names were included without proper verification.

The case, filed by the police on Thursday (4 June) under the Anti-Terrorism Act, names 69 individuals and 30 to 40 unidentified persons in connection with a procession held in the Kuaish Road area in the early hours of Wednesday.

Among those named in the First Information Report (FIR) are two expatriates living in Qatar.

In a video message shared on social media, the 54th accused, Mohammad Ovi, said he had been living in Qatar for the past three years and demanded an investigation into how his name was included in the case.

The 68th accused, Abdullah Ibrahim Abir, has also been living and working in Qatar since 13 December 2025, according to his family.

"Despite not being in the country at the time of the incident, he has been made an accused. We want a fair and fact-based investigation," Abir's father, Md Abu Alam, said, adding that his son has no political involvement.

Amin Munna, a photojournalist with Chattogram-based Daily Azadi, has been listed as the 51st accused.

Munna said he had been made an accused unnecessarily and had no involvement in the incident.

"If journalists become accused in cases like this while carrying out their professional duties, independent journalism will be hindered," he said.

The name of Jubayer, alias Gullu, appears as the 66th accused. His relatives said he is a student of Kuaish Burishchar Sammilani High School and recently completed his SSC examinations.

Relatives of the accused alleged that several individuals were included in the case without proper verification.

Officer-in-Charge of Hathazari Police Station Md Jahidur Rahman said any allegation regarding the inclusion of uninvolved individuals would be examined during the investigation.

"If it is found that someone was not involved in the incident or was abroad at the time, their name can be removed through the legal process," he said.

The FIR states that leaders and activists of the activity-banned Awami League and its affiliated organisations, Chhatra League and Jubo League, brought out the procession, chanted slogans in favour of the banned organisation and engaged in activities deemed provocative against the government.

The case, filed on Thursday, also names several local political leaders, including North District Jubo League Vice-President Hasan Murad, North District Chhatra League Organising Secretary Hossain Ovi and Organising Secretary M Tahasin Mumin Siam.