'Faisal took me to Hadi, I don't know anything more': Close aide Kabir tells court
The Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibuzzaman’s court ordered a seven-day remand for Kabir following the hearing
Md Kabir, a close associate of the prime accused in the gun attack on Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi, told a Dhaka court that he accompanied Faisal to Hadi at the Cultural Centre.
"Sir, 18 days ago, I was driving Faisal's car and also working for Pathao. Faisal frequently had me drive him to various locations. I drove Faisal to Hadi's location and accompanied him during that visit. This act of accompanying him is my only crime. But I don't know anything else," Kabir told the court during the remand hearing today (16 December).
The Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Hasibuzzaman's court ordered a seven-day remand for Kabir following the hearing.
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During the session, DB Police Inspector Faisal Ahmed, the case's investigation officer, produced Kabir in court and requested a 10-day remand for further investigation.
State lawyer Md Qaiyum Hossain Nayan said Kabir is the joint convener of the Adabor Thana Swechchhasebak League and admitted that he went to Hadi with Faisal. "He reportedly went into hiding after his picture circulated online. Kabir is also the owner of the motorcycle used in the attack."
The police sought the remand to identify other individuals involved in the assassination attempt and to conduct further interrogations, said the investigation officer.
According to the remand petition, the attack was carried out in a pre-planned manner with the involvement of the accused and their associates, supporters and financiers, acting on the advice and instructions of unidentified individuals. The incident was allegedly aimed at influencing the upcoming 13th national election, creating confusion among political parties intending to participate, and weakening the morale of candidates.
The petition further stated that Kabir went into hiding after the attack and was later arrested based on information gathered through technological surveillance and other sources.
Kabir was detained from the Fatullah of Narayanganj at midnight on 14 December.
During preliminary interrogation, Kabir reportedly disclosed his identity and address, admitted prior knowledge of the plan, and assisted the accused in evading arrest after the incident, police said.
Investigators described Kabir as a close associate of the prime accused, Faisal Karim Masud, adding that verification of his personal details is ongoing.
Police sought remand to conduct intensive interrogation to uncover the broader network behind the gun attack.
Hadi, also an aspiring Dhaka-8 independent candidate, was shot in the head on 12 December. He was flown to Singapore on 15 December for advanced treatment.
The shooting took place at around 2:24pm on Friday in the Purana Paltan area of the capital. An assailant fired at Osman Hadi from a motorcycle that had been following him from behind while he was travelling in a battery-powered rickshaw.
He was rushed to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) emergency department following the attack and taken to the operating theatre at around 3:50pm. Later, around 7:30pm, after surgery, he was transferred to Evercare Hospital.
