Bangladesh detains popular preacher in ‘anti-terrorism’ case

Police say Amir Hamza arrested in a raid at his home in Kushtia on charges of inciting ‘militants’.

Bangladesh police have arrested one of the country’s most popular preachers, whose rallies draw tens of thousands of people, on charges of inciting “militants”, a senior officer said. Amir Hamza was detained in a raid at his home on Tuesday in the western city of Kushtia and then transferred to Dhaka, police said. Hamza is the latest high-profile religious leader to be held since March when a visit by India’s Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi sparked protests in which at least 13 people died.