A Dhaka court has ordered the release of Tahmina Akhter, a mother of three who was arrested on Independence Day while laying wreaths and chanting pro-Awami League slogans at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.
The activities of the ousted Awami League and its affiliated organisations were banned by the interim government after the former’s ouster following the 2024 July Uprising.
Senior Judicial Magistrate Afroza Sultana issued the order on Wednesday after the Detective Branch submitted a report stating that no allegations were found against her, according to court sources.
Tahmina’s lawyer, Jahangir Alam, said the court had ordered her release, adding that she was expected to be freed from jail on Thursday.
Tahmina was detained by police around 11:30 am on March 26 at the memorial, where she had gone with her three children. She was later sent to jail after her bail application under Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code was rejected.
A bail application on Monday was also turned down.
In the investigative report submitted on Wednesday, Detective Branch SI Abdul Muktalib stated that Tahmina lives in a rented house in Dhaka while her expatriate husband resides abroad, noting that her relationship with her husband is strained and she has no contact with her parents and family.
According to the report, an unidentified individual involved in Awami League politics misled her and took her to the memorial to lay wreaths on behalf of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League and to chant slogans, including “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu” for the purpose of posting on social media.
The report said Tahmina was unaware of the country’s political situation and is not involved with any political party. It noted there was no clear evidence of her involvement in any anti-state or subversive activities.
Tahmina’s lawyer expressed hope that she would be released following the court order.
