The government has claimed that it had information that foreign nationals might be attacked. But the murders were eventually committed in ways that are different from the information the government had.
Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali told these to reporters at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka Tuesday after a meeting with diplomats from more than 40 countries.
Asked why the Bangladesh government did not act on the available information, the minister said: “People who commit crimes do things differently than the information they give.”
Take a look: Diplomats seek additional security
Asked about possibilities of Islamic State (IS)'s involvement with the murders, Mahmood said: “We do not yet have any concrete proof of the IS's activities in the country. But, the US ambassador has told us that they will try to find out if IS has presence in Bangladesh.”
International Islamist militant outfit IS claimed responsibilities after the murders of both Cesare Tavella, the Italian, and Hoshi Kunio, the Japanese.
The minister also said that the government is now very strict about ensuring foreign nationals' security. Necessary steps have also been taken in this regard. This applies for not just the foreigners living in the diplomatic zone and other parts of the capital city, but also those living around the country.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert W Gibson told reporters after the meeting that they had thanked the government for arranging additional security for the expatriate population living across Bangladesh.
Tuesday's meeting was also attended by envoys from the US, Canada, Australia, Iran, India, Pakistan, Japan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, Switzerland and Bhutan among others.
