Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit has submitted the charge sheet in Xulhaz-Tonoy murder case, accusing eight members of Ansar al-Islam.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit Inspector Md Monirul Islam, also the investigation officer of the case, presented the charge sheet to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s (CMM) court on Sunday.
Among the eight accused, Syed Ziaul Haque, 42, a sacked army major, also a wanted militant, is believed to be the mastermind in the murder of Xulhaz Mannan, the founder of Bangladesh’s only LGBT magazine, and his friend Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy in 2016.
Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune, General Recording Officer (GRO) of the CMM court Sub-Inspector (SI) Md Safayet Ali said: "After being accepted, the charge sheet was sent to Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Zahedul Kabir.
"He will shift the case documents to the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal in Dhaka for its disposal by holding the trial."
Mozammel Hussain alias Saimon, 25, chief of Ansar al-Islam's intelligence and media wing, Md Arafat Rahman, 24, coordinator of the military wing of Ansar al-Islam, Md Sheikh Abdullah, 27, and operational wing member Asadullah, 25, were sent to back to jail after the court appearance.
Syed Ziaul Haque (sacked army major), 42, Akram Hossain, 30, Sabbirul Haque Chowdhury, 26, and Md Zunaid Ahmad alias Maulana Zuned alias Zunaid, 26 are yet to be arrested.
On April 25, 2016, Xulhaz, a LGBT activist, and a local employee of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and his friend, a theatre activist, Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy were hacked to death by miscreants at the former’s Kalabagan residence in the capital.
On April 26, 2016, Minhaz Mannan Emon, brother of Xulhaz, lodged a murder case with the Kalabagan police station demanding justice for his brother.
