In his confessional statement to the court, Foyzur Rahman Faizul alias Shafiqur has claimed several other people were involved in his failed attempt to kill noted author and academic Dr Mohammed Zafar Iqbal in Sylhet on March 3.
Faizul provided his statement to Sylhet Metropolitan Magistrate Haridas Kumar at around 1.30pm on Sunday, after being escorted to court by Jalalabad police station OC Shafiqul Islam.
In a three-hour long statement recorded under section 164, Faizul said his paternal uncle Abdul Zahar, who is currently residing in Kuwait, influenced him towards radicalization with tempting offers and enticements.
“Faizul confessed that his uncle, Kuwait expatriate Abdul Zahar, manipulated him into becoming a radical,” Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Sylhet Metropolitan police Abdul Wahab said.
“Faizul used the laptop given by his uncle to regularly listen to Waz (Islamic sermons) on Youtube. Later, upon the advice of several other people, he was inspired to carry out the attack on Zafar Iqbal.”
Also Read- Faizul confesses to attacking Zafar Iqbal to murder him
Faizul confessed that the attack on Zafar Iqbal was pre-planned. However, police investigations have unearthed no ties to international terrorist organizations.
Jalalabad police station OC Shafiqul Islam, who is also the investigating officer of the case, said Faizul in his confessional statement had provided the names of several others who had helped and inspired him in planning the attack.
During a program at the Mukta Mancha at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology on March 3, Faziul stabbed Zafar Iqbal in the back of his head and was subsequently caught by the students.
However, the eminent writer, who also teaches at the university, made a full recovery after being treated at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka for 11 days.
“After the attack, Faizul’s views on Zafar Iqbal changed, which later prompted him to confess in front of the court,” said Shafiqul.
The court sent Faizul to jail after recording his statement.
In the days following the attack, Faizul’s parents, one uncle and a brother were detained by police in Sylhet and Gazipur. They were later remanded for different terms.
This article was first published on banglatribune.com
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