Latif Siddique Held in Shapla Square Mass Killing Case

The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested former textiles and jute minister Abdul Latif Siddique in connection with a case involving murder and crimes against humanity linked to the 2013 Hefazat-e-Islam rally at Shapla Square in Motijheel.

The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday by Additional Commissioner of the DMP's Detective Branch Shafiqul Islam.

He said DB officers arrested Latif Siddique from a residence in the capital's Gulshan area after an arrest warrant had been issued against him by the International Crimes Tribunal.

The arrest came shortly after the former minister appeared before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Dhaka for a hearing in a separate case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act with Shahbagh Police Station.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom before his arrest, Latif Siddique said he intended to surrender before the International Crimes Tribunal by Sunday or Monday if he was not arrested beforehand.

However, law enforcement officers took him into custody later in the day in connection with the Shapla Square case.