Jamaat’s machine turns criminals into angels, goat thieves into politicians: Suzauddoula

Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Suzauddoula (Sujon Mahmud) has alleged that people accused of crimes are being given political protection after joining Jamaat-e-Islami.

He made the remarks in a Facebook post on Saturday.

In the post, Suzauddoula said he believed that just as people accused of war crimes could emerge as freedom fighters through the political influence of the Awami League, criminals, corrupt individuals and those accused of rape could become “angels” after passing through Jamaat’s “machine”. He also said a “goat thief” could become a politician in the process.

He made the remarks in reference to a recent incident involving Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman. A case was filed against Akhtaruzzaman over allegations of creating disorder at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, obstructing government duties and assaulting a security official. He was later arrested by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Friday.

Suzauddoula claimed that Jamaat had issued statements in support of Akhtaruzzaman after the case was filed over the airport incident. He said no one should be given exemption from accountability because of their political identity.

He also claimed that Akhtaruzzaman had played a role in branding protesters as “Razakars” during the July movement. He further said Akhtaruzzaman joined Jamaat after Sheikh Hasina left for India.

Reports on the airport incident said a case was filed against Akhtaruzzaman over allegations of assaulting a security official, obstructing government duties and creating disorder. Jamaat, however, protested his arrest and described the case as politically motivated.

In the concluding part of his post, Suzauddoula said the government was trying to punish criminals, while alleging that Jamaat was providing “shelter” to them.