NN Online:
The law enforcement agencies on August 9, 2016 detained Barrister Arman – son of Jamaat leader Mir Kashem Ali – from his home. Since then, his whereabouts remained unknown. Following the uprising on August 5 that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina, he returned home after an eight-year absence.
Financial Times – a British media outlet – on Wednesday, published a sensational report regarding the events that transpired following Barrister Arman’s disappearance.
The report said, “In 2017, a journalist of Channel 4 confronted Tulip Siddiq – Sheikh Hasina’s niece – regarding the matter of Barrister Arman missing. As a British MP, Tulip was seen as someone who could potentially influence the situation, prompting the journalist to suggest that a call to Hasina might facilitate Arman’s release.
“However, Tulip reacted angrily to the inquiry and is alleged to have misused her position to intimidate Arman’s wife. In a subsequent interview, Arman recounted that law enforcement visited his home just hours before the Channel 4 report aired, questioning his wife about her contacts abroad and subjecting her to aggressive interrogation tactics reminiscent of dealing with a suspect.”
The report further said the question posed to Tulip about him somehow offended the Sheikh family, which led to such behavior from the administration.
On November 25, 2017, a journalist of Channel 4 confronted Tulip, suggesting her influence could make a difference for Arman, who had gone missing. Tulip reacted angrily, asserting her identity as a British MP and questioning the relevance of Arman’s case to her parliamentary role. Despite the journalist’s attempts to highlight her connections to the Bangladeshi government, Tulip insisted on her British identity.
Arman, who was studying in London and serving as his father’s lawyer during a high-profile trial, was abducted during this tumultuous period. His British lawyer noted that RAB members had threatened Arman’s wife, warning her not to speak out.
The Financial Times sought comments from Tulip and her party but received no responses, although an associate confirmed correspondence with the Foreign Office regarding Arman’s case.
