CID to examine evidence in Xulhaz-Tonoy murder

A Dhaka court has allowed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to examine 10 sets of evidence in two separate cases filed in connection with the murders of LGBT activists Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Tonoy. The court of Metropolitan Magistrate Nurunnahar Yasmin passed the order on April 28, but the news was confirmed only yesterday by court police Sub-Inspector Mohammad Shahid. Kalabagan police Inspector KM Ashraf Uddin and Sub-Inspector Ansar Ali filed two separate petitions respectively seeking the court's permission for the CID to examine one set of evidence in a murder case and nine others in a weapons case. The court granted the CID permission to look for fingerprints or other related evidence that might expedite the identification and arrest of the perpetrators. The evidence in the murder case are two khaki-colored cardboard boxes. The killers reportedly brought the boxes as part of their disguise as courier service personnel. After committing the murders, the suspects left the boxes in front of the building's gate. The items found within the box reportedly include four pieces of coconut and several other small goods. The nine sets of evidence in the weapons case are: a pistol, three bullets, a firearm, a machete, a towel, two lungis, a mustard-coloured cloth, a bag and a piece of white paper. On April 25, Xulhaz, the editor of Bangladesh's only LGBT magazine Roopbaan, and his friend Tonoy were killed in a flat in Kalabagan. Several men hacked them to death before fleeing the scene. They also injured a security guard and a police official as they fled, leaving behind some clues in the process. Although more than a week has passed, no arrest has so far been made. However, several police sources told the Dhaka Tribune that the Detective Branch has detained four or five suspects in connection with the double murder. But no official confirmation has so far been made on this regard. When asked for a comment, Monirul Islam, the chief of Counter-terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, only said that the investigation was ongoing. Detectives suspect that Xulhaz was targeted for his advocacy of homosexuality and that the killers were members of banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team who are currently operating under the banner of Ansar al-Islam. Intelligence officials also said Xulhaz and Tonoy were killed in a manner similar to previous murders committed by Ansar al-Islam members.