Bangladesh
Bangabandhu Killer Bangabandhu's killer escapes by dodging Canadian TV channel
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 21 November 2023: An absconding accused convicted of the direct assassination of Bangladeshi architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, escaped in the face of questioning by Canada's CBC TV network. Canadian national television was seeking his comment about his role in the killings and the story he told Canadian officials to protect himself.
"Sir, if we could . . . just to have a quick word . . . I just want to know if you've spoken the truth to Canadians about your role in the murders," a CBC TV reporter is seen asking someone in a white SUV. By then the car had started to move.
The man is one of the absconding accused, dismissed Major Noor Chowdhury. CBS TV investigative journalist Mark Kelly described him as someone who pitted Canada against Bangladesh.
He has been living in Canada for the past 27 years. In response to a CBS TV reporter's question, the killer is heard saying "Just a second, just a second, I have a (indistinct mumble)" and then he hurriedly drives off.
The report also showed a glimpse of him on the balcony of a Toronto apartment. At that point Kelly and his colleague were seen running a few feet behind Noor's car to persuade him to stop and talk. Then the presenter commented, "After living freely in Canada for 27 years, it seems he has nothing new to say."
Most of the August 15, 1975 conspirators fled the country after Bangabandhu's Awami League returned to power after winning the general elections in 1996. Until then they had been immune from prosecution due to an infamous indemnity law. Noor has taken refuge in Canada and is living a quiet life there. His whereabouts remained unknown for years.
CBS TV's popular investigative segment The Fifth State aired a 42-minute documentary two days ago titled 'Assassin Next Door', asking the question "Why is the assassin of Bangladesh's first president free in Canada?"
In a comment to a Canadian TV network a few years ago, Noor, however, said he was not there when Bangabandhu was killed, along with most of his family members.
"It's not true, I wasn't there. I wasn't anywhere near that place," he said in an audio comment, avoiding his personal appearance on TV screens.
