Bangladesh : Hindu woman gang-raped twice by religious fanatics

• Accused granted bail immediately after arrest

• Victim’s family fled due to threats to withdraw complaint

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – In yet another horrific instance of persecution against minorities in Bangladesh, a 38-year-old Hindu woman from the Amtali sub-District of Barguna District was gang-raped twice by two Muslim men. The accused, identified as Saiful Islam and Mohammad Imran, were arrested by the Police but released on bail shortly thereafter. Following their release, the two allegedly began threatening the victim’s family to withdraw their complaint, forcing the family to flee their home and seek refuge with relatives.

1. According to reports, on October 23, the accused broke into the woman’s house, tied her hands and feet, and gang-raped her. Out of fear and social stigma, she did not immediately report the assault. However, on October 29, the same men returned and raped her again. This time, Imran’s brother, Imraj, recorded the entire assault on his mobile phone and threatened the victim that if she went to the Police, they would upload the video on social media and kill her. Gathering courage, the woman finally lodged a Police complaint on November 1, after which the two main accused were arrested, but were granted bail soon after.

2. The victim’s husband stated, “It has become terrifying to stay in our home with our two children. We were told to leave the village because we are Hindus.” Her son added, “I am scared. The men who committed this brutal crime against my mother should be given the death penalty.”