The Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of the police has arrested Habibur Rahman alias Shamim, the publisher of a book promoting the extremist ideology of the banned militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
Shamim, the owner and publisher of Al-Rehab Publications, was arrested on Saturday from the Islami Market area of the capital's Banglabazar, confirmed by Aslam Khan, police superintendent of ATU’s Media and Awareness Wing.
Aslam said Shamim launched his Al-Rehab Publications in 2016. Firoz, a close associate of Mufti Jasimuddin Rahmani, gave him some books by the Mufti to publish.
“After publishing the books, he was inspired by the ideology of Mufti Jasimuddin, and started supporting ABT. Now, he is an active member of the banned militant outfit,” he added.
Aslam further said that Shamim also used to secretly supply, distribute and sell publications of extremist books and magazines to ABT members and other followers. “Besides, he used to share various print and video contents of the banned militant group's ideology with the supporters.”
ASP Wahida, of the ATU's Media and Awareness Wing, said legal action had been taken against him for inciting extremist activities.
“He was arrested on the basis of information provided by ABT members Kaiser Ahmed alias Milon and Zahid Mostafa, who were arrested from Mymensingh on September 16,” she added.
