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Two others accused in the case - former Rajshahi University Vice Chancellor Professor Saidur Rahman Khan and syndicate member Professor Abdus Sobhan - were acquitted. Both teachers were released from Rajshahi Central Jail following the verdict, the Daily Star in Bangladesh has said. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Authorities ordered an indefinite curfew in Dhaka and five other cities in late August, following violence sparked by an alleged assault on students by troops during a football match on the Dhaka University campus. On 21 August, Rajshahi University teachers encouraged and participated in an on-campus silent protest against the attacks. Police say the four academics in Rajshahi were guilty of breaking emergency laws which outlawed protests and gatherings. On the day after the protest, Rajshahi University students called a strike. Around 200 people including police and journalists were injured, vehicles were torched and properties including the Vice Chancellor's residence were damaged, during daylong clashes on and around the Rajshahi University campus. Students demanded a withdrawal of the state of emergency laws and a removal of police from campus.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals: 1. Calling upon the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to release the professors detained immediately and unconditionally; 2. To pressure the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to ensure their well-being while in prison. APPEALS TO: Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Advisor, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh Fax: +880 2 811-3244 or 3243 Barrister Mainul Hosein, Adviser, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Building No. 4 (7th floor), Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Fax: +880 2 882-3744 H.E. Mr. Humayun Kabir, Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA, Telephone: (202)-244-0183 Fax: (202)-244-7830/2771 Email: bdootwash@bangladoot.org Ms. Geeta Pasi, Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh Fax: + (880) 2 882-3744 PLEASE ALSO SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Jonathan Travis Programme Officer, Network for Education and Academic Rights 90 London Road, SE1 9LN London, UK Tel: +44 (0) 20 7902 7700 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7021 0881 jonathan.travis@nearinternational.org'>jonathan.travis@nearinternational.org URGENT
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