Journalist Hasan Imam Rubel has received a death threat over his social-media writings, with a letter signed in the name of ‘Tawhidi Janata’ warning him to stop writing or face fatal consequences.
The letter was left in an envelope under the main gate of his home in Hirimdia village of Bheramara, Kushtia, early on 26 August, according to a general diary filed by Rubel with Bheramara police.
The letter accuses Rubel of writing against Islam and religious scholars and warns that he would be killed if he continued such activities. It also describes the warning as a final notice.
The sender claims to have information about Rubel’s personal identity and movements and says he is being monitored. It also claims to know where he stays and what he does in Dhaka when he returns to Bangladesh.
The letter refers to him by both his professional name, Hasan Imam Rubel, and his official name, Md Hasan Imam Ibn Habib. It also makes claims about his political involvement as a student, personal life and time abroad.
Rubel told police that he does not know who sent the letter or whether any individual, organisation or group was behind it. He therefore did not name anyone in the complaint and asked police to identify the source and those responsible.
He said the threat had caused serious concern for his personal safety. His general diary asks police to identify the sender and take legal action if he faces any attack, physical harm or threat to his life.
Bheramara police accepted the general diary, numbered 1540 and dated 26 August 2026. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Jahedur Rahman directed that necessary legal measures be taken.
The Capital Market Journalists’ Forum (CMJF) condemned the threat against Rubel, a former president of the organisation, and called for the perpetrators to be identified and prosecuted.
CMJF president Monir Hossain and general secretary Ahsan Habib Russell said in a statement that threatening a journalist over his expression was not only a threat to his personal safety but also an attack on press freedom and freedom of expression.
The organisation also called for security for Rubel and his family and urged the police and administration to investigate the incident promptly.
The Dhaka Reporters Unity also condemned the threat and called on the state to ensure the safety of Rubel and his family.
The sender of the letter has not been identified. The allegations made against Rubel in the letter have also not been independently verified.
