Threat of Attack Sent by Email to Chinese Embassy in Dhaka
No arrests had been made by police or the Detective Branch (DB) by Sunday (August 23) over a series of emails sent to foreign embassies and government offices in Dhaka, allegedly as part of an extortion attempt. Following the threats, security has been tightened across the diplomatic zone, particularly around embassies in Gulshan and Baridhara. Additional uniformed and plainclothes officers have been deployed. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have also been alerted after an email threatened an attack on the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka. Officials from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit and Police Headquarters met Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen to review the security situation and discuss further measures.
The threat to the Chinese embassy was reportedly sent on Wednesday night (August 19). Embassy officials were reportedly dissatisfied with the police response and additional security arrangements. Multiple intelligence sources said a scuffle took place between the two sides at one point. At a press conference at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road on Sunday, DB Chief Additional Commissioner Md. Shafiqul Islam said the emails were sent by a “fake group” seeking to damage the country’s image and embarrass the government. Police brought three or four people in for questioning based on bKash numbers mentioned in the emails, but Shafiqul said they were innocent and had no knowledge of the threats.
The DB chief said similar emails had been sent to three or four embassies and several government offices. Asked about the motive, he said, “We believe that it was done to destroy the image of the country or to create a sense of hostility.” He added that it could also have been intended to embarrass the government. Asked whether anyone had been arrested, He said, “We are working on the matter. Whenever any incident occurs, we take it seriously. We are hopeful that we will unravel its mystery soon. We will bring those involved in it under the law.”
ADC Abu Khair of the DMP’s Diplomatic Security Department said, “We have not received any such written complaint. The Chinese embassy authorities have informed the police headquarters through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Counter-terrorism is investigating the matter through the police headquarters.” He said security had been increased, including checkpoints, patrols and surveillance around the embassy. Quick response teams have also been kept ready. The official added, “However, we think there is nothing to panic about this. With the level of security being provided in the entire diplomatic area, there is nothing to panic about.”
CTTC Joint Police Commissioner Munshi Shahabuddin said, “We went there after receiving the information and met with them. We tried to find out who sent the e-mail and from which extremist organization. The work of identifying the threat makers is ongoing. However, it could also be a scam mail.” Police sources said several foreign embassies received threatening emails late last week. Investigators believe the messages may have been sent to spread panic. No general diary or written complaint has been filed with Gulshan Police Station over the threats.
