Former Chhatra League Activist Sabbir Abducted, Assaulted After Returning to Bangladesh to Visit Ailing Father-in-Law

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Former Bangladesh Chhatra League activist and University of Dhaka alumnus Md. Sabbir Hossain was reportedly abducted, physically tortured and threatened with death following his return to Bangladesh from Australia, allegedly over a political vendetta.

Although concerned about the country’s situation following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, Sabbir returned to Bangladesh on June 5, 2025, after his father-in-law fell seriously ill.

Just two days after his arrival, on June 7, five armed individuals allegedly associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir and BNP politics held him at gunpoint while he was returning home from a local market. They took him to an abandoned house, where he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture. The attackers ordered him to immediately abandon Awami League and Chhatra League politics and threatened to kill him and his family if he failed to comply. At one point, fearing for his life, Sabbir agreed to quit politics and leave the country as soon as possible, following which the attackers released him.

Following the incident, Sabbir approached the local police station seeking legal protection. However, police allegedly made derogatory remarks and humiliated him because of his political identity, forced him to leave the station and refused to record his statement.

Unable to obtain legal protection and fearing further attacks, he went into hiding at the homes of relatives in remote areas of Dhaka, Chattogram and Noakhali, concealing his identity.

Finally, amid severe fear and security concerns, Sabbir left Bangladesh on June 18, 2025, and returned to Australia.

Before leaving the country, he was compelled to delete all photographs and documents related to his student political activities, fearing harassment at the airport.

In a statement issued from Australia, Sabbir Hossain expressed deep concern over the impartiality of the country’s human rights and law enforcement situation. He also said he feared another potentially fatal attack if he returned to Bangladesh in the future.