US embassy cable - 05DHAKA1827

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Identifier:	05DHAKA1827
Wikileaks:	View 05DHAKA1827 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Dhaka
Created:	2005-04-20 09:41:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Tags:	PHUM PGOV BG
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS DHAKA 001827 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, BG 
SUBJECT: BDG PRESSED ON DUE PROCESS FOR SHOAIB CHOWDHURY 
 
 1.   (SBU)  On April 17, Ambassador raised the Salah Uddin 
Shoaib Choudhury case during PACOM Admiral Fallon,s meetings 
with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khan and Principal 
Secretary Siddique.  Ambassador said that Choudhury should be 
 
SIPDIS 
accorded due process as guaranteed by Bangladeshi Law. 
Ambassador added that the U.S. Congress was watching the case 
with interest and that it appeared that Choudhury was being 
denied bail because he attempted to travel to a human rights 
conference in Israel in December 2003. 
 
2.  (SBU) Foreign Minister Khan said that he had already 
heard from Bangladeshi Ambassador to the U.S.  Shamsher 
Chowdhury concerning Congressional and non-governmental 
organization interest and would discuss the due process issue 
with his cabinet colleagues.  He pleaded inability to 
influence the courts.   Principal Secretary Siddique pledged 
to discuss the case with the Prime Minister. 
 
3.  (SBU) Comment: The Bangladesh High Court is due to hear 
the Chowdhury case again on May 7h.  Ambassador and Emboffs 
will continue to raise the case with Bangladeshi 
interlocutors and asks that State repeat USG concerns about 
due process to the Bangladeshi Embassy in Washington. 
THOMAS