Harichur Rahman Harich, general secretary of the Gournadi Upazila Awami League and former mayor of Gournadi municipality, was released from Barishal Central Jail on Wednesday evening after securing bail in all ten cases filed against him. He had been imprisoned for about 21 months since his arrest in October 2024 from Dhaka’s Rampura area. Prison officials confirmed that he received bail in eight cases from local courts and in the remaining two from the High Court before his release.

Rahman, known locally for his controversial role during the previous government, had faced multiple charges related to alleged abuses against political opponents. His release has stirred political reactions in Gournadi, with several BNP leaders expressing dissatisfaction over the decision. They criticized the manner and timing of his bail, describing it as undeserved given his alleged past actions.

The development has reignited political debate in Barishal, highlighting ongoing tensions between Awami League and BNP supporters in the region.