FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2009
CONTACT: Richard L. Benkin, Ph.D.; +1-847-922-6426;
drrbenkin@comcast.net; http://www.InterfaithStrength.com
Pro-Peace Muslim threatened the day President Obama speaks to the Muslim
world of peace
Dhaka, Bangladesh-The Bangladeshi government resumed its harassment of
pro-peace journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, despite repeated promises
not to. Intelligence agents have been staking out his house "past few
days," according to neighbors; and the family cornered a man insisting that
he was from Bangladesh's DGFI intelligence service. "Sergeant Rafiq" was
ask when Choudhury left and returned home, his license plate, and so forth.
Choudhury called numerous government agencies, but only one replied, denying
it had sent anyone. With crimes by persons claiming to be from the
government increasing daily in Bangladesh, the family was concerned.
Ultimately, however, the agent admitted being charged with investigating
five dissidents, including Choudhury. Bangladeshi's Washington Embassy
agreed that our concern was especially justified Choudhury's tenuous
position. Such visits often are meant as threats in Bangladesh. As of
tonight, the police refuse to take any action in the matter or even accept
Choudhury's complaint.
The Muslim world's only self-proclaimed Zionist, Choudhury was arrested in
2003 by government agents and Islamist forces after advocating relations
with Israel, religious equality, and exposing the rise of radical Islam in
Bangladesh. He was tortured and held for seventeen months and only released
after strong pressure by human rights activist Dr. Richard Benkin and US
Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL). The government then charged Choudhury with
the capital offenses of sedition, treason, and blasphemy "for praising
Christians and Jews," regularly admitting that the charges are baseless and
maintained to appease radical Islamists. Though the government has not
produce a single piece of evidence for the charges, and its sole witness
keeps refusing to appear, the government continues the case in an effort to
intimidate him into Choudhury and to drain his financial resources. As one
DC insider put it, "They've made the process the punishment."
The life of this courageous dissident journalist is in danger unless the
world renews the protests it lodged during previous governments.
For further information, contact Dr. Richard Benkin at the telephone or
email above.
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