Bangladesh bans extremist group behind bloggers' murders

March 05, 2017 21:27

Bangladesh banned extremist Islamist group Ansar Al-Islam blamed for the brutal murders of several secular activists and atheist bloggers in the Muslim-majority country.

A home ministry spokesman said an order was issued banning the militant outfit as "the group is involved in anti-state activities which are contrary to peace and order and a threat to public safety and security in the country."

The radical group, which claims links to Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, has claimed responsibility for a spate of gruesome murders of secular activists and atheist bloggers in the country that sparked a security crackdown on extremists.

The ban was enforced as members of previously outlawed Ansarullah Bangla Team regrouped under the banner of Ansar al-Islam, the ministry said.

ABT was banned in May 2015 when one of its leaders was arrested and two members were sentenced to death for the murder of an atheist blogger in February 2013.

The group also claimed responsibility for the 2015 murder of Avijit Roy, an American atheist author of Bangladeshi origin, gay activist Xulhaz Mannan, a magazine editor and bloggers Niladri Chattopadhyay and Nazim Uddin Samad.

Image: American atheist author of Bangladeshi origin Avijit Roy

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Priya's Simple, Stylish Avatars

When in doubt, she embraces a wardrobe that's part cool, part modern.

Stoinis still keen to represent Australia despite loss of central contract

Marcus Stoinis' desire to keep playing international cricket beyond the T20 World Cup in June has not been diminished by Cricket Australia's decision to drop him from the central contracts list, the all-rounder said.

Take The '80s Bollywood Quiz

Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.

'Robert Vadra ab ki baar' posters in Amethi amid suspense

Smriti Irani took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi and his brother-in-law suggesting that Vadra has an eye on the constituency.

RBI holds back US dollar sales in February amid pressure on rupee

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) abstained from selling any US dollars throughout February, for the first time in nine months. The decision comes amid increasing pressure on the rupee, as expectations of rate cuts by the US Federal...