A Dhaka court today granted bail to Mahmudur Rahman, the former acting editor of Amar Desh, in a case related to an alleged 2015 plot to abduct and murder Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the United States.
The bail order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Ash Shams Zaglul Hossain following a hearing on the matter.
“We appealed his conviction today, and the court accepted the appeal. Following a request from the defense, the court granted Mahmudur Rahman bail,” said defense lawyer Tanvir Ahammed Al Amin.
Rahman had previously been sent to jail on September 29 by Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahabubul Haque after surrendering and applying for bail.
Defense counsel Syed Joynul Abedin Mesbah previously explained that Rahman was jailed because the court did not have the authority to grant bail based on his sentence. However, the court did order that Rahman be given division facilities in jail.
On August 17, 2023, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur sentenced Rahman, along with four others, including journalist Shafik Rehman, to seven years in prison for their involvement in the case.
The other convicts include Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) Vice-President Mohammad Ullah Mamun, his son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar, and US-based businessman Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan. Rahman was tried in absentia.
The case, originally filed by police on August 3, 2015, led to a charge sheet on February 19, 2018, against the five accused. A total of 12 witnesses, including Joy, testified during the trial..
