Court denies Tawhid Afridi bail, sends YouTuber to jail over Uprising ‘murder’

The magistrate orders his detention after a hearing with the investigating officer

A Dhaka court has sent content creator Tawhid Afridi to jail pending trial after rejecting his bail plea in connection with a murder case tracing back to last year’s Anti-discrimination Student Movement.

The decision came after a hearing by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasib Ullah Piyas, based on the investigation officer’s petition.

Prosecution Sub-Inspector Sharifuzzaman said, after five days of remand and questioning, the investigating officer requested the court to keep Tawhid in detention.

Tawhid's mobile phone, CPU, and IMAC were seized for forensic examination by IT experts, with crucial data retrieved during questioning, according to investigators.

The police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said Tawhid had incited opposition against the student movement, giving “provocative speeches” during protests. They argued that his detention was essential to prevent interference in the investigation and potential flight risk.

His lawyer, Mohammad Khairul Islam, filed for bail, but Prosecutor Kayyum Hossain Nayan opposed it. Following the hearing, the court denied bail, and Afridi was sent to jail.

Tawhid was arrested by the CID in Barisal on Aug 24. The case stems from an incident on Aug 5, when Asadul Haque Babu was shot and killed during a protest in Jatrabari.

A murder case was filed by Babu's father, naming 25 individuals, including Tawhid and his father, MyTV boss Nasir Uddin.

Nasir Uddin, arrested earlier, is facing interrogation in custody as well.