Bangladesh Court Acquits Journalist Mahmudur Rahman in 2015 Plot Case to Abduct and Kill Sheikh Hasina’s Son

Dhaka, February 10, 2025: A Bangladesh court on Monday acquitted prominent journalist Mahmudur Rahman in a high-profile case related to an alleged plot to abduct and kill Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the United States back in 2015. The verdict, delivered by Dhaka 4th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tarique Aziz, stated that the charges against Rahman were “false and fabricated.” The court scrapped his previous conviction and sentence, citing a lack of credible evidence.

After the verdict, Mahmudur Rahman expressed relief, stating, “I finally got justice from the court. I will continue my fight against fascism, which is also the country’s struggle.” The case, filed on August 3, 2015, accused Rahman and several others of conspiring to abduct and kill Sajeeb Wazed Joy in the U.S., with alleged meetings held in the UK, US, and Bangladesh involving leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Other key figures in the case included senior journalist Shafik Rehman, BNP cultural wing vice-president Mohammad Ullah Mamun, Mamun’s son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar, and US-based businessman Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan—all of whom had been sentenced in absentia.

In August 2023, a Dhaka court had sentenced Rahman and the others to seven years’ imprisonment in absentia. Rahman returned to Bangladesh from exile on September 27, 2024, after spending over five and a half years abroad. Upon his return, he surrendered to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka and was sent to jail, pending his appeal.

The case carried significant political undertones, as it allegedly involved leaders connected to former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s BNP, the main opposition party. The political landscape in Bangladesh shifted dramatically after Sheikh Hasina was ousted in 2024 following massive student-led protests. Hasina, now 77, has been living in exile in India since August 5, 2024, following the fall of her 16-year Awami League regime.

Mahmudur Rahman’s acquittal is expected to influence the current political environment, as he remains a vocal critic of both the former Awami League government and authoritarian practices. The verdict may also reflect the changing political dynamics in Bangladesh post-Hasina’s ousting. The fate of the other individuals convicted in absentia remains uncertain, with no updates provided on potential appeals or legal proceedings. This verdict marks a significant legal and political development in Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle with democracy, freedom of the press, and political accountability.