Asif Mahmud gives anti-graft agency 24 hours to apologise or face legal action

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has given Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission 24 hours to apologise or face legal action over remarks about an inquiry against him.

The National Citizen Party spokesperson said he would send a legal notice if the commission did not withdraw what he called a defamatory statement. He spoke at a press briefing at the party’s central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor.

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If the ACC does not apologise within 24 hours for the defamation caused to me, I will send them legal notice.

The commission announced an inquiry into Mahmud, a former youth and sports adviser to the interim government, and three other officials. The inquiry concerns alleged corruption and irregularities involving the Department of Youth Development.

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It is clear that an attempt has been made to spread disinformation against me for political purposes. Some are trying to use this as a political weapon to suppress opposition parties and dissenting voices.

Mahmud denied the allegations, saying the decisions under scrutiny followed a court order and recommendations from the Public Service Commission. He accused unnamed actors of spreading disinformation for political purposes and using the investigation to suppress opposition parties and dissenting voices.

He said the ACC spokesperson initially claimed that “primary evidence” had been found against him, then described the wording in a WhatsApp group as a “slip of the tongue.” Mahmud accused the commission of character assassination but said he was ready to provide relevant documents and cooperate with any lawful inquiry. He added that the investigating agency must also act responsibly.

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But the investigating agency also has to act responsibly.