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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Crime & Justice

Widow demands justice eight years after husband's killing, citing audio recordings

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Ayesha Begum continues her demand for justice eight years after her husband, former Teknaf councillor Akramul Haque, was killed.
  • Audio recordings released by Begum appeared to capture events surrounding the killing, offering a glimpse into alleged extrajudicial killings.
  • Begum expressed hope for a fair trial under the new government and emphasized her ongoing struggle until those responsible are punished.

Eight years after the killing of her husband, former Teknaf councillor Akramul Haque, Ayesha Begum remains steadfast in her demand for justice. The incident gained national attention in 2018 when Begum released audio recordings that appeared to document the events surrounding Haque's death, providing a rare insight into alleged extrajudicial killings.

I am going to Hnila. For emergency work.

— Akramul HaqueFrom an audio recording played during a press conference, indicating his movements before he was killed.

At a press conference in 2018, Begum presented four audio clips, one of which captured her own voice amidst the sound of gunfire while she was on the phone with her husband. Another clip featured a poignant exchange between Akramul and his daughter, who tearfully asked him why he was crying. This recording has remained a haunting element of the case.

Father, why are you crying?

— Akramul Haque's daughterFrom an audio recording, capturing a moment of distress before the killing.

Begum described the past eight years as the most challenging period of her life, marked by the grief of losing her husband and the responsibility of raising their two young daughters alone. "Only one hope has kept me going -- that one day my husband's killing will be brought to justice," she stated. Financial difficulties have forced her to rely on loans, and she has relocated from Teknaf due to security concerns.

There is the grief of losing my husband, and on top of that, two young daughters to raise. Only one hope has kept me going -- that one day my husband’s killing will be brought to justice.

— Ayesha BegumDescribing the emotional and financial toll of the past eight years.

While acknowledging the arrest of former lawmaker Abdur Rahman Bodi in connection with the case as a potential start to the justice process, Begum stressed that her fight will continue until the true perpetrators are punished. She noted that some suspects are reportedly abroad and should face trial. Begum also expressed optimism that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would ensure a fair and impartial trial. The case is currently under review by the International Crimes Tribunal, with investigators reportedly nearing formal charges.

My struggle will continue until those truly responsible are punished.

— Ayesha BegumReiterating her commitment to seeking justice for her husband's death.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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