Secularists at risk in Bangladesh after blogger killing

摘要

Bangladeshi police revealed on 2 March that they had arrested a man in Dhaka in connection with the murder of a secular blogger in the capital the preceding week. Avijit Roy, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was killed by unidentified assailants armed with machetes on 26 February. His wife was seriously injured in the attack. Ansar Bangla 7, a previously unknown group, claimed responsibility, according to Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo. Police have stated that Farabi Shafiur Rahman, who has been arrested in connection with the killing, had allegedly threatened Roy on social media. Police also confirmed they were following lines of inquiry that there was another unidentified person involved. Rahman has denied any connection to the killing. Roy's murder was the second of a secularist blogger since Ahmed Rajib Haider was killed in February 2013 in an unlinked case. Police surveillance, aggressive counter-terrorism tactics and leadership depletion have significantly reduced the operational capability of militant groups in Bangladesh. As such, their remaining capability to undertake killings is reduced. However, secular sections of society, including judges and bloggers, will continue to be targeted.