Govt launches probe on London mission attack

Deputy High Commissioner Talha withdrawn


FE Team | Published: April 27, 2018 21:49:40 | Updated: April 28, 2018 18:42:14


Govt launches probe on London mission attack

The government has formed a high-profile committee to investigate the recent attack on the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York Masud Bin Momen has been made head of the probe committee.

A diplomatic source revealed the information without elaborating the composition of the investigation committee.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in London Khondker M Talha has been withdrawn and asked to join the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Dhaka before May 7.

Another source said the government has not shown any reason behind the withdrawal of Talha who has been in London for nearly three years and eight months.

He is expected to return to Dhaka on May 3.

During the attack, Talha was acting Bangladesh High Commissioner in London.

On February 7, leaders and activists of BNP attacked the staff of Bangladesh High Commission in London and ransacked its furniture which the government termed tantamount to an attack on Bangladesh.

The High Commission came under sudden attack ahead of the verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Khaleda, also a former prime minister, was jailed for five years on February 8 after she was found guilty in the case.

According to UNB, police were there and the attack took place in presence of police.

The Bangladesh High Commission in London in a statement had said the BNP activists and members of its wings forcibly entered the High Commission in the pretext of submitting a memorandum.

"They attacked the High Commission staff and vandalised assets of the mission," the statement said.

"Bangladesh High Commission in London represents Bangladesh in the UK. So, damaging High Commission's asset is like damaging state assets, and attack on the High Commission is tantamount to attack on Bangladesh," the High Commission had said.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali briefed the reporters on February 8 in Dhaka about the attack.

Such destructive activities by the unruly demonstrators and their conducts tarnished Bangladesh's image abroad, the High Commission had said.

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