Former foreign ministry DG Sabbir sent to prison over ‘July killing’

He also faces charges filed by the ACC, police say

Former director general of the foreign ministry Sabbir Bin Shams has been sent to prison after being shown arrested in connection with a “murder” during the July Uprising.

Police detained him on charges of infiltration through the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat on Saturday.

Lalmonirhat Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Alauddin rejected his bail application and ordered him to prison on Sunday, according to defence counsel Rafiqul Islam.

Sabbir, 57, hails from Lalmonirhat town.

Lalmonirhat Sadar Police chief Saad Ahmed said, "An attack, vandalism, and arson took place at the multi-storey residence of Lalmonirhat District Awami League Joint Secretary Sumon Khan during the student-led mass uprising.

“Six people died there on that day. A case over this incident was filed at the Sadar Police Station on May 27, 2025."

"Sabbir Bin Shams was produced before the court after being shown arrested in that case as a suspect identified during the investigation," he added.

The officer noted that Sabbir also faces a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Sabbir had served as the DG on a three-year contract during the Awami League government and also as a "minister" (public diplomacy) at the Bangladesh High Commission in the UK.

He returned to Dhaka after resigning from that post.