Dhaka: A total of 17 individuals have been arrested in connection with the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star, and two cultural organizations. These arrests come after 31 suspects were initially identified as responsible for the incidents.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) SN Md Nazrul Islam revealed the details at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Center on Mintoo Road. The police have confirmed that 13 arrests were made by local police forces, while the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Unit apprehended three suspects, and the Detective Branch (DB) detained one person. These arrests took place in Dhaka and various locations across the country up until 9am today.
The individuals arrested include Md Naim, 26; Md Akash Ahmed Sagor, 28; Md Abdul Ahad, 18; Md Biplob, 22; Md Nazrul Islam alias Minhaz, 20; Md Jahangir, 28; Md Sohel Rana, 24; Md Hasan, 22; Russell alias Shakil, 28; Md Abdul Barek Shaikh alias Al Amin; Md Rashidul Islam, 25; Md Sohel Rana, 27; Shafiqul Islam, 34; Md Pranto Sikder alias Faisal Ahmed Pranto, 15; Abul Kashem; Raju Hossain Chand; and Saidur Rahman, 25. The attacks on the media offices occurred on the night of December 18.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus was informed by police officials on Sunday that video footage analysis led to the identification of at least 31 suspects. Authorities have also identified three individuals involved in attempts to instigate chaos near the residence of the Assistant High Commissioner of India in Chattogram through video evidence.
Among those arrested, Kashem Faruk, a former student of Al-Jamia Al-Islamia Kasemul Uloom Madrasa in Bogura, resides in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. Md Saidur Rahman is from Noakanda village in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur district, while Rakib Hossain from Sherpur district was identified in footage as actively participating in vandalism and arson at the media offices. He reportedly shared images of the damage and made inflammatory posts on social media.
Md Naeem, residing in Tejgaon’s Kunipara area, was caught in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla with Taka 50,000 that was looted during the incident. During his initial interrogation, he confessed to stealing a total of Taka 1,23,000, which he used to purchase a television and a refrigerator in Mohammadpur. These items have been confiscated. Md Sohel Rana, arrested near the Karwan Bazar railway line, has 13 previous cases against him, including narcotics charges, while Md Shafiqul Islam, also arrested in the same area, has two past cases related to arson and explosive devices.
Police continue to interrogate the remaining arrestees, and further arrests are anticipated as the investigation progresses. According to police officials, these arrests are part of an ongoing investigation, and evidence has been gathered to support the case. The DMP is committed to ensuring the safety of media institutions and holding those accountable for the attacks.