Bangladesh Cricket Star Shakib Al Hasan Among 147 Charged In Alleged Murder Case

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's renowned cricketer, is among 147 individuals charged in connection with an alleged murder during protests in early August. This information was confirmed by an officer at Dhaka's Adabor police station to ESPNcricinfo. The case involves the death of a garment worker, Mohammed Rubel, whose father, Rafiqul Islam, filed the complaint.

Shakib, who also served as a member of parliament for the Awami League until recently, was not in Bangladesh during the protests on August 5.

He was participating in the Global T20 Canada league in Brampton, leading Bangla Tigers Mississauga. Before this, he played in Major League Cricket in the USA until mid-July and then moved to Canada from July 26 to August 9.

Protests and Charges

The case statement reported by The Daily Star mentions that some accused individuals allegedly opened fire on students protesting at Ring Road in Adabor on August 5. Rubel was injured during this incident and succumbed to his injuries two days later at a hospital. Shakib is listed as either the 27th or 28th accused in the first information report (FIR).

During these protests, Sheikh Hasina was still the prime minister of Bangladesh. Following her resignation and departure from the country, many former ministers and lawmakers from her party were also accused.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported over 400 deaths between July 16 and August 4 due to the unrest, with some reports suggesting over 650 fatalities and numerous missing persons.

An interim government has been established following the fall of the Awami League. Significant changes have occurred within the Bangladesh Cricket Board as well, with former national captain Faruque Ahmed now serving as president. Shakib Al Hasan won a parliamentary seat from his hometown Magura in January's general elections.

Currently, Shakib is playing against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Despite his absence during the protests, his name appears among those charged. The situation remains complex as investigations continue into the events surrounding Rubel's death and other incidents during the period of unrest.