Supporters of former Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat have vigorously campaigned for the release of their leader from prison, near the council venue of the ruling Awami League.
Bangladesh Awami League, one of the oldest and largest political parties in the country, is holding its two-day 21st National Council, which began Friday afternoon, to elect its central leadership at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
Posters demanding release of the alleged casino kingpin Samrat were seen in Segunbagicha, Matsya Bhaban, Dhaka Club, and Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of the Dhaka University areas -- all close to the council vicinity.
Awami League leaders take position on stage at 21st National Council of ruling Awami League on Friday, December 20, 2019 | Dhaka TribuneThe posters read: "We have not forgotten the crisis time leader Samrat."
In some posters, the followers demanded immediate unconditional release of Samrat, terming him Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's crisis time activist.
Some colored posters have been sponsored by "Dhaka Trinomuler Sharbastorer Juba Somaj (Youth society of the grassroots in Dhaka)" and some others have been sponsored by Zakir Hossain Bhuiyan, the convener of "Ismail Chowdhury Samrat Mukti Parishad (Council for the release of Ismail Chowdhury Samrat)".
The campaign material also used photos of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, also the ICT adviser to the prime minister, and Jubo League founder Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni.
On October 6, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested Samrat, the then president of Dhaka South unit Jubo League, and his close aide Enamul Hoque Arman, then vice president of the same unit, in Comilla for their alleged links with casino operations in Dhaka.
A RAB mobile court sentenced Samrat to six months’ imprisonment for possessing hides of wild animals, and the party expelled them later.
Two cases -- one under Arms Act and another under Narcotics Control Act -- were filed against Samrat by the elite force.
On December 9, the battalion submitted a charge sheet against Samrat in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act.
On November 12, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed another case against Samrat and Arman on charges of amassing illegal wealth.
According to the anti-graft watchdog, Samrat amassed illegal wealth abroad worth Tk1,000 crore.