Cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore has alleged that one of the two sketches he drew of individuals who allegedly tortured him back in 2020 after his arrest, has an “uncanny resemblance” to ex-DGFI officer Major (retd) Afizur Rahman.
He made the claim 0n a Facebook post on Monday (11 August), seeking immediate arrest of Major Afiz. Kishore also alleged that Afiz is aligned with pro-Jamaat journalists.
Kishore was arrested by RAB during the Hasina regime back in May 2020. He remained in prison for almost a year in a Digital Security Act (DSA) case.
In the Facebook post, the cartoonist wrote, “I have recently identified a man I believe to be directly linked to my own abduction and torture, as well as to the persecution of my late friend, writer and activist Mushtaq Ahmed. That man is Major Afiz.
“A few days ago, a Facebook friend brought to my attention a post by blogger, writer, and journalist Arif Jebtik. In that post, Jebtik described how, following the removal of pro-Liberation voices from the Janakantha building, Major Afiz – aligned with pro-Jamaat journalists – assumed leadership there.”
Kishore pointed out, “Jebtik also raised the suspicion that Afiz was involved in the abduction and abuse of both myself and Mushtaq Ahmed.
“In response, I shared on that post two forensic sketches I had drawn from memory after my release on bail, depicting two of my torturers. One of the sketches bore a strong resemblance to Afiz.”
He continued, “I began my own investigation and discovered further details. According to the latest findings by investigative journalist Saer Zulkarnain, our abduction was linked to fugitive DGFI chief Saiful Alam.
“My inquiries revealed that in 2020, Major Afiz was part of the DGFI media wing under Colonel Shammi Firoz, and that he had been monitoring Mushtaq Ahmed for an extended period.”
Kishore added, “Afiz was also closely connected to Barrister Nijhum Majumdar, widely seen as an Awami League spokesperson, as well as to fugitive businessman Nafiz Sarafat, often referred to as the cashier of the ousted autocrat Sheikh Hasina.
“Today, during the tenure of the interim government, this same Afiz has emerged as the leader in seizing control of a major established media house – achieved at the cost of the sacrifices made by Mushtaq Ahmed, myself, and countless others.”
The cartoonist pointed out, “Further investigation into his background revealed that Afiz’s father once served as the APS to a minister during a previous BNP government.
“Given his reputation within service circles as a corrupt and opportunistic officer, I demand the immediate arrest of Major Afiz. I firmly believe that interrogating him would uncover critical evidence about numerous cases of enforced disappearance, torture, and abuse.”
In connection with the torture he allegedly faced during his imprisonment, Kishore filed a case against unidentified members of the law enforcement agencies on March 10, 2021.