Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

Former Narayanganj BNP leader Riad Mohammad Chowdhury has been arrested by police while attempting to flee to Thailand. He was detained on Thursday morning at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

 The information was confirmed by Narayanganj District Superintendent of Police (SP) Pratyush Kumar Majumder. He stated that Riad Chowdhury was arrested from the airport in connection with an extortion case. He is currently in Narayanganj, and legal proceedings will follow.

 At the same time, the BNP has taken immediate disciplinary action. Remaining firm in its party ideology and principles, BNP has expelled Riad Mohammad Chowdhury from all party positions, including his primary membership. This decision was announced in a notice signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The statement emphasized the importance of party discipline and reaffirmed the party's zero tolerance toward ethical violations.

 Riad Mohammad Chowdhury had been serving as the Organizing Secretary of Fatullah Thana BNP. Recently, after an audio clip of a phone conversation involving threats during a demand for extortion went viral, he was expelled from the BNP.

 Confirming the matter, Narayanganj Additional Superintendent of Police Tarek Al Mehdi said that Riad Mohammad Chowdhury has been arrested and is being brought to Narayanganj. Legal action will be taken against him accordingly.

 He added that the viral phone clip has led to allegations against him, and a case will be filed based on that incident. Riad Mohammad Chowdhury was expelled from all party positions, including his primary membership, at around 11:30 AM on Thursday.

 In the statement signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, it was mentioned that Riad Mohammad Chowdhury has been expelled from all levels of the party, including his primary membership, for breaching party discipline and engaging in unethical activities that go against party principles and unity.

 Confirming the expulsion, Narayanganj District BNP Convener Professor Mamun Mahmud said he was expelled for violating party discipline.

 Recently, an audio clip of a phone call was circulated on social media where a man identified as Riad Mohammad Chowdhury was heard threatening a Narayanganj businessman named Azad Hossain, demanding extortion. In the clip, Riad allegedly said he would have the factory burned down if the businessman did not pay. The incident sparked widespread criticism and outrage.