Major (retired) Akhtaruzzaman, a leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, was arrested on the evening of October 2 at his residence in Dhamal Kot, Dhaka Cantonment, over allegations related to an incident at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The arrest came following accusations of creating disorder, obstructing officials, assaulting a security officer, and issuing threats at the airport. The case was filed by airport security officer Md Shahriar Alam Sajib under several sections of the Penal Code, including those pertaining to assault and issuing threats.
According to police statements, on October 1, Akhtaruzzaman was among a group of 34 Jamaat representatives and their family members who had returned from Medina. After completing immigration formalities, the group proceeded to baggage belt No. 8, where congestion caused by heavy passenger flow created delays retrieving luggage and Zamzam water supplies. It was reported that several protocol assistants accompanying Akhtaruzzaman allegedly cut lines, exacerbating tensions among passengers.
At the request of Dhaka-5 MP Mohammad Kamal Hossain, Airport Executive Director Group Captain SM Rabiq Samad approached the scene. The official complaint alleges that Akhtaruzzaman then approached the executive director aggressively, verbally abusing him and threatening physical harm with phrases such as "I will beat you up" and "Get out from here." MP Kamal Hossain reportedly intervened to escort the executive director to safety.
The complaint additionally asserts that Akhtaruzzaman used offensive language directed at the civil aviation and tourism minister and threatened other officials. Several protocol assistants allegedly recorded videos of the incident and threatened to share them on social media, prompting a security supervisor, Warrant Officer Mohammad Kamal Uddin, to request they stop recording in a restricted area. Akhtaruzzaman is accused of responding with verbal abuse and physically assaulting the security supervisor. He is also alleged to have acted aggressively toward a Biman representative and caused property damage by throwing bottles and containers of Zamzam water.
Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage and collecting witness testimonies as part of an ongoing investigation. A Dhaka court has accepted the case and scheduled the submission of an investigation report for November 10. Akhtaruzzaman has been taken into custody and will be handed over to the Airport Police Station.
Before his arrest, Akhtaruzzaman posted a video stating that he was being detained by the police but affirmed his intention to continue advocating for the rights and interests of the public and expatriate Bangladeshis.
Jamaat-e-Islami leadership has condemned the arrest, with party Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman calling for Akhtaruzzaman’s immediate release and characterizing the charges as fabricated. Shafiqur denied any physical assault took place, maintaining that Akhtaruzzaman's actions were a protest against the mistreatment of returning passengers. Similarly, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar issued a statement strongly opposing the arrest.
Authorities have indicated that further legal actions will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.