Senior journalist Hasan Imam Ibne Habib, also known as Hasan Imam Rubel, has received a death threat in an anonymous letter in Bheramara, Kushtia. The letter was left in an envelope under the main gate of his home in Hirimodia village in the upazila early last Wednesday morning. He filed a general diary (GD) report at Bheramara police station the same day.
The letter, sent in the name of “Tawhidi Janata” (the faithful public), says it had reviewed writings on his Facebook profile. Describing this writing as “anti-Islamic,” it warns him to stop, or he will be killed. The letter describes itself, in its final section, as a “last warning.” It also claims to have information on Hasan Imam Rubel’s whereabouts and movements in Dhaka.
Hasan Imam Rubel worked for many years at the daily newspaper Prothom Alo. He has also served as output editor at Channel 24 and executive editor at Newsbangla. He currently writes regularly on social, political and religious issues on social media.
In the GD filed at Bheramara police station, he wrote that the letter expressed anger over his Facebook statuses, comments and writings. It described this writing as anti-Islamic and anti-clergy, and warned him to stop, or he would “not return alive” and would be killed “by any means.” The letter also claims to contain personal information about his leftist student politics and says his movements are being monitored. He said these are the reasons he is concerned for his safety.
Hasan Imam Rubel visits his village home in Hirimodia with his family for a few days once or twice a year. He said: “I came to my village home with my family after a long time. Early Wednesday morning, a letter in the name of Tawhidi Janata was left under the gate. I have informed the administration and filed a GD. I am demanding an investigation to identify the actual source of the threat and those involved.” He said he is not certain who sent the letter, and, without directly blaming any individual or organization, asked that the source be identified and legal action taken.
Bheramara Police Station OC Muhammad Zahedur Rahman said journalist Hasan Imam Rubel had filed a GD, and that police had inspected his home. He said an investigation was under way to determine who was involved.
More threats
Several other recent threats have been reported in Bheramara. Kiyamat Ali Sardar, of Jagoshor village in Juniadah union, received an anonymous letter on August 17 demanding 1.5 million taka in extortion in the name of a “special force.” Separately, the convener of a party’s district committee has also been receiving death threats from various numbers over the past several days.