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Published : 18 May 2025, 07:23 PM
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has refuted allegations that its current administrator Mohammad Azaz has links to the banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, describing the claims as "baseless" and "politically motivated".
The rebuttal came in an official statement issued on Sunday by DNCC spokesperson and information officer Farzana Bobby, following renewed controversy sparked by investigative journalist Zulkarnain Saer.
In a post on his verified Facebook page on Friday, Saer alleged, citing case files and intelligence reports, that Azaz had served as the fifth-ranking leader of Hizb ut-Tahrir.
He also claimed that Azaz was formerly affiliated with Islami Chhatra Shibir during his student years, and later joined Hizb ut-Tahrir in 2002.
According to Saer, Azaz had been arrested at least twice in connection with his alleged activities for the group.
In response, the DNCC categorically dismissed the allegations.
The statement claimed the accusations are part of a broader campaign to discredit individuals critical of the Awami League government, particularly those raising concerns about human rights violations and environmental degradation.
Addressing the specific claim regarding Azaz’s arrest, the DNCC clarified that in 2015, law enforcement had detained several individuals from a property owned by Azaz.
However, the statement asserted that Azaz had no involvement in the incident and did not reside at the location. His name was allegedly included in reports solely due to his ownership of the premises.
"Subsequent investigations and legal proceedings conclusively cleared Mr Azaz of any wrongdoing," the DNCC said, maintaining that he had been falsely implicated.
The controversy has added a new dimension to ongoing debates surrounding the politicisation of intelligence reports and the credibility of social media-based investigations.
