Mahmudur Rahman acquitted in Joy murder plot case
Mahmudur on 12 December 2024 filed the appeal against his conviction and sentence in the case
A Dhaka court today (10 February) acquitted Daily Amar Desh Editor Mahmudur Rahman in a case lodged over an attempt to abduct and murder ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in the US in 2015.
Dhaka 4th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tarique Aziz pronounced the judgment, allowing Mahmudur's appeal against his conviction and sentence.
Mahmudur, who was tried in absentia, was present in court at the time.
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Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahabubul Haque sent Mahmudur to jail on 29 September 2024 after he surrendered and pleaded for bail in the case.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Ash Shams Zaglul Hossain on 3 October allowed him bail.
Mahmudur filed the appeal against his conviction and sentence on 12 December 2024. After hearing the matter on 23 January this year, the court fixed today to pronounce judgment.
On 17 August 2023, Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur convicted and sentenced five people, including veteran journalists Shafik Rehman and Mahmudur, to seven years imprisonment in the case.
The other convicts in the case are Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) Vice-President Mohammad Ullah Mamun, his son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar, and Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, an expat businessman living in the US.
The police filed the case at Paltan Police Station on 3 August 2015 and filed a charge sheet against the five on 19 February 2018.
A total of 12 witnesses including Joy had testified in the case.
