The Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) has arrested a 20-year-old student, Md. Rakib Al Hasan, from Mymensingh on allegations of promoting propaganda in favour of the banned militant outfit Islamic State (ISIS) through social media. He was picked up on July 10 from a rented house in the city and later shown arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act at the Kotwali Police Station.
Rakib, originally from Gazir Khamar in Sherpur Sadar, had been living in a mess in Mymensingh city to prepare for university admission after completing his Higher Secondary studies from Notre Dame College, Mymensingh.
His father, Lal Chan Mia, a daily wage labourer, confirmed the arrest to The Dissent, saying, “I learned about it from the police. I went to the DB office to meet my son. I’m a poor man—I don’t understand what’s going on.”
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Rakib had been operating at least 12 Facebook accounts under both real and fake names. These were allegedly used to promote and exchange extremist content in support of ISIS. The FIR also mentions that Rakib maintained 19 Gmail addresses and was active on Imo, Telegram, and X (formerly Twitter).
Graphic Content & Digital Footprint
Archived content from one of Rakib’s Facebook accounts, accessed by The Dissent, reveals several disturbing posts. One of his display photos was edited to include the ISIS flag with the caption “Soldier of IS.” Another post referred to “Jihadi John,” a notorious ISIS militant known for beheading captives in propaganda videos.
He also shared graphic execution videos, including one showing a Russian national being beheaded by ISIS fighters. The post caption read, “Russian pig slaughtered; will serve it to the infidels.” In another post, Rakib stated, “Rebel, revolutionary, fundamentalist — I am a terrorist.”
Several of his posts praised ISIS leaders like Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and ridiculed critics of Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. He even mocked prominent Bangladeshi clerics who criticized jihadist ideologies.
Since July 23, all of Rakib’s known Facebook accounts have gone inactive. However, multiple screenshots and archives have been preserved by The Dissent for verification and record.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Rakib was arrested from the Sankipara Rail Crossing area on the night of July 10. The next day, the ATU filed a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act. A Mymensingh court approved a five-day police remand for further interrogation. Upon completion of the remand on July 17, he was sent to jail.
Kotwali Police Station OC Shibirul Islam confirmed the filing of the case but refused to comment further. Sub-Inspector Palash Ali of ATU, who filed the case, told The Dissent that Rakib was detained due to his alleged involvement with ISIS. He referred further questions to the case’s investigating officer, Inspector Mofizul Islam, who also declined to elaborate due to the “ongoing investigation.”
Attempts to contact the ATU’s media spokesperson Barrister Mahfuzul Haque were unsuccessful, as he is reportedly on leave.
Family in Shock
Rakib’s father, Lal Chan Mia, expressed disbelief and heartbreak over the incident. In a phone interview with The Dissent, he said:
“I am a poor and simple man. I sent my son to the city to study. I had high hopes for him. I don’t know what mistake he made or how he got into this.”
He added that he couldn’t afford frequent visits to Mymensingh due to financial constraints. “I gave him a phone recently because he asked for one. I believed in my son,” he said, breaking down into tears.
According to Lal Chan, Rakib had once mentioned being in contact with an older “big brother,” but the father didn’t suspect anything unusual. “I told him to focus on his studies. Now I don’t know what’s true and what’s not,” he said.
