Two people crossed border after attack on Hadi: Human smuggler’s associate tells court

Human smuggler and trafficker Philip Snal helped two individuals cross the border after the shooting attack on July Uprising participant Osman Hadi, Philip’s associate Sibion Dio told a court during a remand hearing on Thursday.

Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam asked Sibion Dio if he had to say anything over the police’s seven-day remand plea.

In reply, Sibion said he learnt of Philip’s alleged involvement in helping prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud cross the border into India through media reports.

“I called Philip and told him that his name was coming up in the Hadi attempted murder case, and Philip then admitted that he had helped two people cross the border,” he added.

The judge then asked Sibion whether he knew where Philip was. Sibion replied that he did not know and that he had no knowledge about the attack.

Another accused, Sanjoy Chisim, said, “I have spoken with Philip but do not know anything about the shooting attack. On the night of the incident, Philip called me and asked me to stand on the road. Later, he called again and said the work was done and told me to leave.”

After the hearing, the court granted a three-day remand for both accused. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Farooqi argued in favour of the remand on behalf of the state.

Farooqi said that the two suspects are close associates of Philip, who allegedly helped shooter Faisal flee the country. Sibion is the nephew of former Awami League MP Jewel Areng.

“Their involvement in the incident has been established. They told the court that Philip helped two people flee, and one of them was present in the border area following Philip’s instructions. Therefore, they need to be taken into custody for interrogation,” he urged the court.

Sibion and Sanjoy were arrested earlier on Wednesday from Haluaghat and Dhobaura in Mymensingh.

So far, nine people have been arrested in the case. Among them, Faisal’s father Md Humayun Kabir and mother Most Hasi Begum gave confessional statements. Other accused include rent-a-car businessman Md Nuruzzaman Nomani alias Ujjwal, Faisal’s associate Md Kabir, Faisal’s wife Saheda Parvin Samia, his girlfriend Maria Akter Lima, and his brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Sipu, all of whom are currently on remand.

Earlier, on Sunday, Javed, member secretary of Inqilab Moncho, filed a case with Paltan Model Police Station, accusing the suspects of attempting to kill Sharif Osman Hadi by shooting him.

On 12 December, Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and a prospective independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot and critically injured on Box Culvert Road under Paltan Model Police Station.