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Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that its leader and former lawmaker Major (retd) Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan was arrested on “flimsy grounds” following a case filed over an incident at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Akhtaruzzaman was arrested from his residence in Dhaka’s Cantonment area on Friday evening, around 15 hours after a case was filed against him over allegations of threatening the airport’s executive director and assaulting a security supervisor.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar condemned the arrest and called for an impartial investigation into the difficulties faced by Akhtaruzzaman and other passengers at the airport.
In a separate statement, Jamaat’s Dhaka North city unit chief Mohammad Selim Uddin described the case and arrest as “extremely concerning”, alleging that Akhtaruzzaman had been targeted after protesting against mismanagement at the airport.
The controversy began on Thursday when a video circulated on social media showing Akhtaruzzaman arguing with airport officials over delays in providing Zamzam water and other passenger services after a flight arrived from Madinah.
According to the case statement, Akhtaruzzaman allegedly threatened the airport’s executive director and verbally abused him.
He is also accused of assaulting a security supervisor after the latter objected to video recording inside a restricted area.
The case was filed under several sections of the Penal Code, including provisions relating to obstructing public servants, causing hurt, criminal force, intentional insult and criminal intimidation.
Jamaat has demanded that the case be withdrawn and Akhtaruzzaman be released.
