Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu leader associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested from Dhaka airport on Monday on several charges, including sedition.
His arrest sparked protests by his supporters in both the capital Dhaka and Chittagong city.
"A Muslim lawyer defending Das was killed amid protests outside the court (in Chittagong)," said police officer Liaquat Ali.
A probe has been ordered into the alleged killing, the caretaker government said in a statement, adding that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus had directed law enforcement agencies to step up security in the port city.
"The interim government is committed to ensuring and upholding communal harmony in Bangladesh at any cost," the government said.
Das faces sedition charges filed in October after leading a large rally in Chittagong, in which he was accused of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag and was denied bail by a court in Chittagong on Tuesday.
'RAMPAGE'
When Das was being escorted back to prison from court, more than 2,000 supporters surrounded the van, blocking it for over two hours, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasib Aziz, said.
"They went on a rampage, throwing bricks at us. To disperse the crowd, we had to fire tear gas. No one was seriously injured, but one of our constables was hurt," Aziz said.
India condemned the arrest of Das, saying in a sternly worded statement that the perpetrators of documented vandalism and arson against minorities as well as those who desecrated deities remained at large.
Hindu-majority India has strong cultural and business ties with its neighbour and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has expressed concern over a spate of attacks on Hindus.
"It is unfortunate that, while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings," the Indian foreign ministry statement said.
Bangladesh's foreign ministry, responding to India, said the government does not interfere in the judiciary's work, and the matter was being dealt with by the court of law.
"The Government of Bangladesh is also committed to upholding communal harmony in the country," the ministry said.
G7 foreign ministers have reaffirmed support for Ukraine and condemned Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, warning of escalating security risks due to North Korea’s growing ties with Russia.
Lithuanian authorities found no evidence of terrorism or sabotage in Monday's DHL cargo plane crash near Vilnius airport, which killed one person. The investigation is ongoing, with no signs of foul play identified so far.
A Turkish nationalist leader has urged talks between the pro-Kurdish DEM Party and jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to end decades of conflict.
At least 22 Somali migrants died when two boats capsized off Madagascar over the weekend, while attempting to reach Mayotte. The boats, which set sail from Somalia on November 2, were discovered by local fishermen and authorities, who rescued 48 people.
Russia has claimed that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed seven Ukrainian missiles over the Kursk region overnight, amid rising tensions along the border.
U.S. President Joe Biden has proposed expanding Medicare and Medicaid coverage to include anti-obesity drugs, potentially cutting out-of-pocket costs by 95%.
EU envoys will meet on Wednesday to discuss a 15th round of sanctions targeting Russian oil tankers and Chinese firms involved in drone production for Moscow. The new measures aim to further restrict Russia’s access to financial assets and tighten pressure on its oil revenue.
G7 foreign ministers have reaffirmed support for Ukraine and condemned Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, warning of escalating security risks due to North Korea’s growing ties with Russia.
Negotiations at COP29 in Baku face a critical impasse as sharp divisions over climate finance and fossil fuel commitments threaten progress.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
The United Nations COP29 climate change conference in Baku seeks $1 trillion annually to help vulnerable nations tackle climate change, as political tensions and Argentina’s withdrawal overshadow talks.
EU envoys will meet on Wednesday to discuss a 15th round of sanctions targeting Russian oil tankers and Chinese firms involved in drone production for Moscow. The new measures aim to further restrict Russia’s access to financial assets and tighten pressure on its oil revenue.
G7 foreign ministers have reaffirmed support for Ukraine and condemned Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, warning of escalating security risks due to North Korea’s growing ties with Russia.
French farmers gathered in Strasbourg while the EU Parliament is holding a plenary session.
U.S. President Joe Biden has proposed expanding Medicare and Medicaid coverage to include anti-obesity drugs, potentially cutting out-of-pocket costs by 95%.
EU envoys will meet on Wednesday to discuss a 15th round of sanctions targeting Russian oil tankers and Chinese firms involved in drone production for Moscow. The new measures aim to further restrict Russia’s access to financial assets and tighten pressure on its oil revenue.
G7 foreign ministers have reaffirmed support for Ukraine and condemned Russia’s nuclear rhetoric, warning of escalating security risks due to North Korea’s growing ties with Russia.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment