Mahdi Hasan, general secretary of the Habiganj district unit of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, was questioned for over two hours by police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Wednesday before being released in the evening.
Prior to his arrival in Dhaka, Mahdi was also interrogated at Delhi airport. He confirmed the questioning after leaving the airport, and immigration officials acknowledged the interrogation.
Mahdi arrived at Dhaka around 3:40pm on an IndiGo Airlines flight from Delhi. During the questioning, authorities probed him over past incidents, including allegations of obstructing police operations and making threatening remarks.
Speaking on Facebook Live from Delhi airport, Mahdi said, “I was held in police custody for about 40 minutes. I will provide full details at a press conference once I return to Bangladesh.”
He added that he requested to contact the Bangladeshi embassy, but his request was not immediately granted. The purpose of his travel on a medical visa has not been disclosed.
The questioning follows a 1 January incident in Habiganj, when Mahdi visited Shayestaganj Police Station after the arrest of a local youth, Enamul Hasan Noyon.
He allegedly threatened police officers during the visit, leading to his temporary arrest. Mahdi was released on bail within 24 hours amid public attention.
