UK seeks consular access to its nationals held in Sylhet dragnet
Diplomatic Correspondent
The British government has formally sought consular access to the British nationals who were arrested in Sylhet on Monday for allegedly holding a meeting in a house violating the rules of state of emergency. Responding to media enquiries, British High Commissioner in Dhaka Anwar Choudhury yesterday said, "We are aware of the arrest and detention of a number of British nationals in Sylhet. We are in touch with the relevant authorities." "We have asked for confirmation of the details of the arrests and we have formally sought consular access to the British nationals," he added. The high commissioner said the United Kingdom expects that the detainees will be well treated and will be given full access to their consular rights. Law enforcers yesterday arrested some 40 Awami League (AL) leaders and activists. A number of them were British-Bangladeshi nationals learnt to have come from London with AL President Sheikh Hasina on May 7. A Sylhet court sent the arrested people to Sylhet jail with a one-month detention. PROTEST IN LONDON
AL leaders and activists in London held a demonstration protesting the arrest of the 40 leaders and activists, six of whom were British citizens, reports BBC Bangla Service. The six British citizens came to Bangladesh along with the AL chief. AL UK unit Secretary for Youth Affairs Harmuj Ali said they would demonstrate in front of Bangladesh High Commission in London in order to put pressure on Bangladesh government to free them. He also said that they would campaign in different stages to press home their demand.
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