2 Hizb ut-Tahrir members arrested from Dhaka

The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Unit (CTTC) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested two active members of the banned militant group Hizb ut-Tahrir from the Turag area of the capital today over a case filed with shahbagh police station under anti-Terrorism Act, 2009.

The arrestees were identified as Jahangir Alam and Farhad Hossain, who were captured in a video during a procession in Dhaka on 13 September, where the organisation marched with banners, festoons, and placards.

In the case, Hizb ut-Tahrir's media coordinator Imtiaz Salim, member Md Moin, Md Zakaria, and five to six thousand others were accused. Imtiaz Salim was previously arrested on 4 October.

According to the complaint, Hizb ut-Tahrir leaders and members organised processions and rallies with the intent of overthrowing the current regime and establishing a state under their ideology. On the day of the incident, they breached a police barrier and began marching from Paltan towards the High Court. When additional police forces were deployed, the group quickly dispersed toward the Baitul Mukarram mosque.

Hizb ut-Tahrir, which has been secretly conducting its activities for an extended period, gained renewed attention after the fall of the Awami government on 5 August. On 28 September, Inspector General of Police Moinul Islam announced legal action against Hizb ut-Tahrir, labelling it a "militant" organisation.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has been active in Bangladesh since 2001, originally led by a teacher from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at Dhaka University. The Awami League government officially banned the organisation in a press note issued on 22 October 2009.