We believe that the charges against Dr. Alamgir are politically-motivated. The government is trying to intimidate Dr. Alamgir into silence and force imprisonment on him essentially because he has a history of being vocal against authoritarian rule.

Reason #1. No Historical Evidence

The previous government led by BNP sought revenge against Dr. Alamgir's pro-democracy role by filing a dozen cases, including corruption and treason. In none of the cases was he found guilty of any wrongdoing.

Reason #2. No Media Report

The media in Bangladesh is free and very proactive. Many investigative reports over time have uncovered massive corruption against many politicians and high officials, from millions siphoned through charging commission for government contracts to even stealing relief materials. There has never been any such reports against Dr. Alamgir. In fact, right after he was arrested on February 4 along with many other politicians, skepticism was raised about his specific inclusion. A report from the Daily Star, the leading English-language newspaper, on February 5 notes: "Some mid-level AL [Awami League - Dr. Alamgir's political party] leaders said they have no objection to the arrests of several AL leaders except presidium member Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, who, they believe, is not corrupt."

Reason #3. Malicious Pattern of Filing Cases 

The government's pattern of filing cases fit the pattern by which Dr. Alamgir was persecuted by BNP during 2002-2006. The government keeps on coming up with a new case, however baseless, right before each expiry of his detention, approximately every thirty days.

• INITIAL CHARGES WERE POLITICAL. The initial charge against Dr. Alamgir was "conspiracy against the State," basically treason and sedition, not corruption. This proves that a political motive was behind the government's arrest. These charges were dismissed by the High Court. (Read more about the initial charges.)
• SECOND CHARGES WERE FARCICAL. Before the expiry of the second detention deadline, "a private person" filed an extortion case for Tk. 60,000 (approx. $850) against Dr. Alamgir and 114 others. This case was not pursued by the Court. (Read more about why this case was farcical.)

Reason #5. Malicious Intent of Entrapment

The government's most recent case is a type of entrapment. It forced Dr. Alamgir to provide a wealth statement while he was in jail and without access to his documents, and then, once he submitted a statement of 40+ years of income and assets to the best of his memory, the government began searching for discrepancies. They now claim that they have found an incosistency, and are claiming that it must be deliberate, and therefore, evidence of corruption. (Read more this case and why it is flimsy)

Reason #6. Informal Confessions by Government Agents

At various points since February 4, government agents made comments betraying a political motive behind the persecution. During one of the raids, an agent commented, "kichhui to pailam na, abar jonotar monchei dhorte hobe" (couldn't find anything; will have to frame him on treason charges again). That is what happened later. Another agent commented, "ponchash takar jonno holeo dhorbo" (will get him even if we find a discrepancy of Tk. 50 - less than $1). One sympathetic agent apologized for the persecution and said that they are under tremendous pressure "from above" to find something; otherwise their own jobs will be in jeopardy.

Reason #7. History of Persecution for Being Vocal

Except for a brief period 1996-2001, Dr. Alamgir has been persecuted since the eighties for his vocal pro-democracy role. The military government of General H. M. Ershad persecuted him for standing up against military rule. The BNP government since 2002 persecuted and tortured him for standing up against BNP's efforts to stay in power in 1996 through legitimizing one-sided elections that all the opposition boycotted. The current military backed government essentially fears that Dr. Alamgir will become vocal against its human rights abuses and postponement of democratic elections. We believe that is the main reason that the government is trying to convict him summarily on whatever charges it can muster so that he is kept in prison.