An Awami League leader has died in custody in Bangladesh, prompting the party to demand an independent probe into his detention and medical treatment…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Another Awami League leader has died while in custody in Bangladesh, prompting the party to demand an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Mobarak Hossain, 54, convener of the party’s Meghdubi East unit in Gazipur City Corporation, died on Tuesday night after reportedly falling ill at Gazipur District Jail.
His death comes amid growing concerns over custodial deaths involving Awami League members following Bangladesh’s 2024 political upheaval. The party has questioned the circumstances of his detention, repeated rejection of bail applications and the medical treatment he received before being taken to hospital.
According to Gazipur District Jail Jailer Nur Mohammad Sohel, Mobarak complained of chest pain at around 9.50 pm on Tuesday and received preliminary treatment inside the prison.
“As his condition deteriorated, he was taken to Gazipur Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital at about 10:00 pm, where the physician on duty declared him dead at about 10:30 pm,” the jailer said, according to the Bangladeshi daily New Age.
Arrest under anti-terrorism legislation
Jail authorities said Mobarak had been in prison since August 16 after his arrest in connection with a case registered under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act at Pubail police station.
The Awami League, in a statement issued on Thursday, expressed grave concern over his death and alleged that he had repeatedly been denied bail following his detention under the legislation.
Citing reports that he was arrested on August 15, 2026, the party said police had seized leaflets carrying the words “Sheikh Hasina will return, Bangladesh will smile”, along with mobile phones.
According to the party, the case reportedly involved mourning-day posters, a political song and the distribution of leaflets.
The Awami League said bail had been sought at six or seven hearings but was repeatedly refused. It argued that his subsequent illness and death in custody raised serious questions about the grounds for his continued detention and the handling of his medical condition.
Awami League seeks answers over death
The party called for an urgent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mobarak’s death, raising questions about the evidence used to justify his detention, the reasons for refusing bail and the medical care provided to him in prison.
“What specific evidence justified his continued detention? What reasons were recorded for refusing bail? When did he become ill, what treatment did he receive, and was he referred promptly for appropriate hospital care?” the party questioned.
It said the circumstances required scrutiny to establish whether the authorities had taken appropriate steps to protect his health and provide timely medical assistance.
The party also stressed that counterterrorism legislation should not be used to criminalise peaceful political expression.
According to the Awami League, political leaflets, songs and commemorative posters, on their own, do not constitute evidence of terrorism.
Calls for international scrutiny
The Awami League urged United Nations human rights mechanisms, international rights organisations, diplomatic missions and independent media to examine Mobarak’s death and broader allegations of politically motivated detention in Bangladesh.
The party said the case raised concerns about the treatment of its members in custody and the use of anti-terrorism legislation against political activists.
Mobarak’s death adds to the concerns surrounding the detention of Awami League members since the political upheaval in Bangladesh in 2024.
The circumstances of his death, including the medical treatment he received in prison and the reasons for the repeated rejection of bail applications, remain central to the party’s demand for an independent investigation.
