Information on the arrest of former communications minister Anwar Hossain Manzu on 29 April 1991, as well as why he was arrested and when he was released [BGD16571.E]

According to the BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, Anwar Hossain Manzu was arrested on 29 April 1991 and detained for 120 days under the Special Powers Act (SPA) (1 May 1991). The report stated that Hossain, who was elected to parliament in February 1991, took the oath of office on 27 April after "emerging from his hideout" (ibid.). The report added Hossain had surrendered himself to authorities of the Dhaka Central Jail after having been placed on the government's "wanted list" (ibid.). However, another source states that Hossain was arrested outside the national parliament building (Japan Economic Newswire 16 May 1991).

According to a former Bangladeshi journalist, the SPA allows authorities to detain individuals for up to 120 days without filing charges (9 Feb. 1994). The source added, however, that the Bangladesh High Court deemed Hossain's detention illegal and ordered his release (ibid). As a result, the source stated that Hossain was not detained for the entire 120-day period allowed under the SPA (ibid.). The source added that no charges were filed against Hossain during his incarceration (14 Feb. 1994).

A Thursday 8 August 1991 Xinhua General Overseas News Service report stated that Hossain was granted bail and released from Dhaka Central Jail on "Wednesday", but did not state whether the court's action was related to his arrest on 29 April 1991 or to another incident (8 Aug. 1991).

In August 1992 Hossain was accused of abusing his authority and misappropriating funds while serving as Ershad's energy minister (Reuters 4 Aug. 1992). In April 1993, he was arrested under the SPA for a second time (Japan Economic Newswire 22 Apr. 1993). The Bangladesh High Court again ordered Hossain's release (14 Feb. 1994).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 1 May 1991. "Bangladesh: Former Minister Arrested." (NEXIS)

Former Bangladeshi Journalist, Montreal. 9 February 1994, 14 February 1994. Telephone interview.

Japan Economic Newswire. 16 May 1991. "Former Bangladeshi Premier Detained for Three Months." (NEXIS)

. 22 April 1993. "Opposition Lawmaker Arrested in Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 4 August 1992. BC Cycle. "Former Bangladesh President Faces New Charges." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 8 August 1991. "Bangladesh Ex-President Welcomes Change to Parliamentary System." (NEXIS)

Attachments

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 1 May 1991. "Bangladesh: Former Minister Arrested." (NEXIS)

Japan Economic Newswire. 16 May 1991. "Former Bangladeshi Premier Detained for Three Months." (NEXIS)

. 22 April 1993. "Opposition Lawmaker Arrested in Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 4 August 1992. BC Cycle. "Former Bangladesh President Faces New Charges." (NEXIS)

The Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 8 August 1991. "Bangladesh Ex-President Welcomes Change to Parliamentary System." (NEXIS)