Awami League MP's testimonial used in Thakurgaon BNP leader's bail appeal

An Awami League MP from Thakurgaon has issued a testimonial that has been used for the bail petition of a local BNP leader arrested on charges of plotting acts of sabotage.

The testimonial that says 'he is not involved in subversive activities; he is a good person' has been issued by the Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Public Works Dabirul Islam for BNP leader Rafiqul Islam.

Rafiqul is Joint Secretary General of Aamgaon Union BNP and a member of the Aamgaon Union Parisad under Haripur Upazila in Thakurgaon district.

When contacted, MP from Thakurgaon-2 constituency Dabirul confirmed the testimonial.

He told bdnews24.com: "He (Rafiqul) is not involved in subversive activities. He is a good man, he is a Union Parishad member."

The testimonial, written on the official letterhead of Member of Parliament, also says, "I know him as a worker of Jatiya Party, an ally of the ruling Awami League. He is not involved in anti-state activities."

The letter has been appended to the bail petition of Rafiqul filed with the Thakurgaon District and Session Judge's court on Feb 22.

Rafiqul was arrested on Feb 5 under 1974 Special Power Act for holding a clandestine meeting to carry out sabotage in the area.

The court has ordered a check on the veracity of the testimonial after Public Prosecutor Shekhar Kumar Roy objected the bail petition.

Roy said he could not reach the MP despite phoning him twice.

He said, "The letter is written tactfully. It's not a direct recommendation but certified that he was not involved in any subversive activities. He is a good person."

"I have put up an objection to the court on this matter," he added.

On Nov 16, 2016, Dabirul made a similar recommendation to Thakurgaon superintendent of police to clear Sadar Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami chief of a 'terrorism charge' brought against the Jamaat leader.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, MP Dabirul said, "If police charge him (Rafiqul under SPA 174) then there is nothing to do. But he is not involved. I know him as a Jatiya Party activist, not a BNP man."

On being asked if he recommended an accused in a case of sabotage just because he is a Jatiya Party man, Dabirul said, "The JP men are working for us, for the alliance."

Aamgaon BNP President Abu Taher has confirmed that Rafiqul is joint secretary general of the unit and a UP member of Ward no. 95. He is a resident of Vetna village of the Union.