Jamaat rallies demanding release of ATM Azhar

A Dhaka rally has started demanding the release of Jamaat-e-Islami's imprisoned Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam. 

On Tuesday (February 18), hundreds of leaders and activists of the party attended the rally organised at Paltan in the capital, stretching from Paltan intersection to Nightingale intersection and surrounding areas. 

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman and other senior leaders are present at the rally. 

On Tuesday, leaders and activists began marching towards Paltan from various parts of the capital from 3:00pm. Earlier, efforts from leaders, activists, and people from all walks of life contributed to making the program successful.

Jamaat said its Assistant Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam has been detained in prison for over 13 years. He has been repeatedly remanded and subjected to physical and mental torture. He fell seriously ill several times but was not given even the minimum medical care. There is a widespread belief that ATM Azharul Islam, a victim of extreme oppression and torture, would be released in a Bangladesh free from dictatorship. However, despite 6 months and 9 days having passed since the interim government took power, he has not been released. The judicial proceedings during the Sheikh Hasina regime are considered controversial, questionable, and rejected globally.