Attack on US ambassador’s motorcade: No progress in investigation

Attack on US ambassador’s motorcade: No progress in investigation

Staff Correspondent . Dhaka |Prothom Alo  Nov 27, 2018

Former US ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat. File PhotoThe police is yet to arrest any of perpetrators who attacked the motorcade of immediate past US ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat in the city’s Mohammadpur area at midnight of 4 August.

The investigators, however, said they have identified several attackers.

The US embassy filed a general diary with Mohammadpur police station, after the attack.

Foreign ministry officials said the US embassy sent a diplomatic letter requesting for investigating the matter. The home affairs ministry was given the responsibility to f investigate the incident.

The police said the embassy informed them that Marcia Bernicat joined a dinner at the Lalmatia residence of civic platform Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) secretary Badiul Alam Majumder on 4 August.

An armed group of motorcyclists attacked the motorcade of the US ambassador while she was returning to the embassy after the dinner, around 11:00pm.

The ambassador’s security members identified two of the attackers, who were shouting, “Badiul Alam is involved in anti-government activities,” the embassy told the police.

Attackers hit two vehicles of the motorcade with sticks and punched two members of the ambassador’s security team when they tried to intercept the perpetrators.

Mohammadpur police station officer-in-charge Jamaluddin Mir said the detective branch (DB) of police has been investigating the case.

DB south deputy commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman told Prothom Alo that they have identified several perpetrators.

Several local level politicians of Mohammadpur area made hints to Prothom Alo at the political connection of the attackers.

They said about an SMS, which allegedly informed several leaders of ruling Bangladesh Awami League about the dinner at Badiul Alam Majumder’s residence.

When contacted, Badiul Alam Majumder said, “I’ve been dealing with various types of threats since the attack. My family members and I are living in a panicked condition. I’m seeking justice. Bringing the perpetrators under trial is a must to establish rule of law.”