Bangladesh arrests 36 Hizb ut-Tahrir members in crackdown on banned group

Authorities have arrested at least 36 members of the banned Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir since Friday, according to the Chief Advisor's Office, or CAO.

Among those detained is Saiful Islam, one of the group’s key organisers, the CAO said in a statement on Saturday.

Hizb ut-Tahrir was outlawed in 2009 for alleged anti-state activities.

Police have launched a nationwide crackdown to apprehend members of the outfit who participated in an unauthorised gathering outside Dhaka’s Baitul Mukarram Mosque on Friday.

"We are analysing video footage of the rally. We have identified many members of Hizb ut-Tahrir and they will be arrested for joining a political programme organised by a banned organisation," said Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam.

According to police, multiple cases have been filed against the group’s members under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Following Jummah prayers on Friday, Hizb ut-Tahrir activists gathered at the north gate of the mosque and began shouting slogans.

They grabbed banners with a Kalima, or Islamic phrase, inscribed on it and surged forward when a group of police officers tried to block their way. The Hizb ut-Tahrir members overwhelmed them before another group of policemen from Paltan tried to intervene and also failed.

Police began swinging batons and firing tear gas at the rally when it reached Bijoynagar, forcing the activists to flee into nearby alleys and kicking off chases.

Earlier, around midnight on Thursday, the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime, or CTTC, unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police conducted raids in Uttara’s sectors 11 and 12, arresting three individuals. They have been charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Uttara West Police Station.

For years, Hizb ut-Tahrir operated in secrecy, but it has gradually emerged from the shadows in recent weeks. On Friday, members announced a rally at Baitul Mukarram, put up posters in various parts of Dhaka, including Dhaka University, and distributed leaflets.

The organisation has also been increasingly active in political demonstrations. On Aug 5, its members held a rally in Dhaka to mark the "fall of the Awami League government".

Since then, they have continued organising marches, roundtable discussions, and other activities in both Dhaka and Chattogram.