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Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Leader of the Opposition, has demanded the immediate, unconditional release of retired Major Akhtaruzzaman and the withdrawal of what he described as a fabricated case filed over an altercation at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).
The Jamaat chief made the demand in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Friday night (October 2).
Defending the decorated freedom fighter and former lawmaker, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman wrote: "Release valiant freedom fighter Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman immediately. Withdraw the staged case. He did not physically assault anyone; this allegation is completely false. I strongly condemn and protest this action."
Dr. Rahman argued that administrative misconduct and mismanagement at the airport were evident from the fact that two officials were subsequently placed under temporary suspension over the incident. He maintained that Akhtaruzzaman was simply protesting passenger harassment, procedural delays, and callous treatment meted out to returning expatriates and Umrah pilgrims.
"Pay attention to the substance of his protest rather than just his choice of words," the opposition leader urged. "The passengers present at the airport are direct witnesses to the grievances he protested against. If this harassment and arrest are meant to cover up airport irregularities and passenger mistreatment, it represents an ominous sign. Aggrieved citizens will never accept this."
The confrontation unfolded on Thursday morning when tensions escalated among Umrah pilgrims arriving from Medina on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight over severe delays in delivering sacred Zamzam water. Akhtaruzzaman was subsequently accused of issuing verbal threats and verbally abusing the airport's Executive Director, as well as assaulting a security officer.
Following the incident, Md. Shahriar Alam Sajib, a security officer at HSIA, filed a case with Airport Police Station under multiple sections of the Penal Code on Friday, accusing him of obstructing official duties and physical assault. Police apprehended the former parliamentarian from his residence later that day.
