Today, Daily Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman acquitted in Joy murder plot case. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Feb 10, 2025 (BSS) – A court here today acquitted daily Amar Desh editor Mahmudur Rahman in a case lodged for attempting to abduct and murder ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in the US in 2015.
 
Dhaka 4th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Tarique Aziz pronounced the judgment, allowing an appeal of Mahmudur Rahman against his conviction and sentence in the case.
 
The appellant was present during the pronouncement of the judgment.
 
The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mahabubul Haque on September 29, 2024, sent Mahmudur Rahman to jail as he surrendered before the court and pleaded for bail in the case. Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Ash Shams Zaglul Hossain on October 3 allowed him bail.
 
He filed the appeal against his conviction and sentence on December 12, 2024, and the court on January 23 after holding a hearing on the matter had set today to pronounce judgment.
 
The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Asaduzzaman Nur on August 17, 2023, convicted and sentenced five people including veteran journalist Shafik Rehman and Mahmudur Rahman to seven years imprisonment.
 
The other convicts in the case are Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) vice-president Mohammad Ullah Mamun, his son Rizvi Ahmed Caesar and Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan, an expat businessman living in the US.
 
Mahmudur was tried in absentia.
 
Police on August 3, 2015, filed the case with Paltan Police Station and on February 19, 2018, filed a charge sheet against the five.
 
A total of 12 witnesses including Joy testified in the case on different hearing dates.