A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for Shawkat Mahmud, former president of the National Press Club and current secretary-general of Janata Party Bangladesh, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The case accuses him of conspiring to overthrow the interim government and collaborating with foreign agents. Metropolitan Magistrate Fahmida Khandaker Anna approved the remand after a hearing on Thursday.

Mahmud was arrested last Sunday in Dhaka’s Malibagh area by the Detective Branch (DB) police, following the earlier arrest of US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, Enayet Karim Chowdhury, who is accused in the same case. Investigators claim Mahmud and others held secret meetings with political and business figures to destabilize Bangladesh’s political and economic environment. Authorities say interrogation is needed to uncover his alleged connections with foreign entities.

The case has drawn attention due to its political sensitivity and the involvement of several figures from different parties. Other accused individuals remain in custody as the investigation continues under the Anti-Terrorism Act.