5 detained for ‘anti-state propaganda’: RAB

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested five people on charges of spreading propaganda against the state and instigating vandalism.

The arrestees have been identified as Md Abdullah Al Mahmud, 29, Md Wayez Kuruni, 27, Md Towhidul Islam, 26, Md Gazi Sakhawat, 29, and Md Habibur Rahman, 30.

Speaking at a press conference at RAB headquarters on Thursday, RAB legal and media wing director Khandaker Al Moin said the arrested people were staying in Swamibagh area in the capital for the last one year. They are from different parts of the country. They were involved with spreading negative propaganda on various issues, he added.

Khandaker Al Moin further said the law enforcement seized Tk 200,000 from the possession of the arrested people. The money has come from different sources abroad. They spread rumour about the recent student movement. Their objective was to create chaos, he said.

News agency UNB adds: Acting on a tip-off, the arrests were made on Thursday evening during a drive in the Swamibagh area in the capital by RAB-3 personnel.

Laptops, portable hard disks, leaflets used to instigate vandalism and anti-state activities have been seized from their possession, RAB officials said on Friday.

During primary interrogation, the arrestees told investigators that they used to send misinformation about Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies to many foreign media and “conspired against the state”.

Mahmud and Towhid were wanted in several cases of vandalism and terrorism lodged at different police stations, the RAB said, adding that “legal action is underway against the arrestees”.