Police on Sunday arrested Akash Chowdhury, an expelled activist of Jamaat-e-Islami, over an attack on a protest rally of Democratic Students' Alliance in Chattogram on May 28.
He was detained from the city's Kotwali area, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Karim said.
Akash is the son of former councillor Nesar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury of Ward-7 in Satkania municipality.
Jamaat-e-Islami expelled him from the party after public backlash over the attack on protesters.
Police said there are several existing cases filed against him under murder and explosives charges.
"He will be shown arrested in connection with the recent case filed over the attack on a protest of the Democratic Students' Alliance, and will be presented before court," OC Abdul said.
On May 28, members of a newly emerged group called the "Anti-Shahbagh Alliance" allegedly launched an attack on a pre-scheduled rally of the Democratic Students' Alliance, a coalition of left-leaning student organisations.
The rally was organised in protest against the acquittal of Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam from a war crimes death sentence.
At least 15 people were injured in the attack, which took place near the Chattogram Press Club. Police detained two individuals, including a student, from the scene and later filed a case under the Speedy Trial Act, showing them arrested in connection with the attack.
Shortly after the incident, a 15-second video clip of the attack spread rapidly online. In the footage, activists of the Democratic Students' Alliance are seen seeking shelter in front of Chattogram Independent University, adjacent to the protest site. Amid visible police presence, Akash is seen bypassing law enforcement, approaching the fleeing protesters, and suddenly kicking one of them. Moments later, he turns and kicks another woman.
The footage sparked outrage on social media, prompting severe criticism from activists, citizens, and civil society members.
In response, Jamaat-e-Islami acknowledged Akash as one of its activists and expelled him from the party following the public backlash on May 30.
