Another Avijit murder suspect makes confessional statement

Arafat Rahman alias Siam alias Sazzad, a member of the banned militant outfit Ansar Al Islam, today told a magistrate that he along with seven others took part in the murder of writer-blogger Avijit Roy.

Siam, 24, who was arrested in Savar area on Friday night in connection with the killing of Avijit, admitted this before a magistrate.

In his statement recorded by Metropolitan Magistrate Sadbir Yasir Ahsan Chowdhury, Siam said eight people participated in the killing mission.

Four, including Siam, were following Avijit on Amar Ekushey Book Fair premises on February 26, 2015. Four others, who were outside of the venue, took part in the killing mission, he endorsed.

Siam, an alleged operative of the banned militant outfit’s operational wing, is among the six suspected militants, who have been carrying police bounty since May 19 last year.

Avijit, a Bangladesh-born US citizen, was hacked to death on Dhaka University campus when he along with his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonya was returning from the book fair on that day. Bonya was critically injured in the attack.

He came to Bangladesh with his wife as his two books were published during the book fair.

Earlier on November 6, Abu Siddique Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid, another Ansar Al Islam member, gave an identical confessional statement before a magistrate.

Nine of the arrestees – Sakib, Mojammel Hossain alias Saimun, Shafiur Rahman Farabi, Sadekur Rahman Mithu, Alimul Mallik, Towhidur Rahman, Julhaj Biswas, Sabez Ali and Jafran Hossain -- are now behind bars.