Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)-The Bangladesh police on Monday claimed to have solved the mystery behind the murder of Italian Cesare Tavella, who was gunned down in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone on September 28.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said the murder suspects confessed to have been hired for killing “a white man” to create anarchy in the country, reports The Hindu.
“Not Tavella, they were contracted to kill any foreign national, especially a white-skinned man,” the police officer said.
The detectives have also detained four persons in connection with the murder.
A Dhaka court placed three of them on an eight-day remand.
The police officer also said they have managed to track down the motorcycle used by the assailants to escape from the spot after the murder.
They killed the Italian on the direction of a “Boro Bhai [big brother]”, the commissioner said.
“Once we arrest the so-called big brother, we will be able to arrest the persons behind the killing.”
Mia also claimed the “IS drama” was staged to hide the real culprits. He claimed the murder was aimed at putting the government under pressure globally by sending a message that Bangladesh was not safe for foreigners.
Suspect admits crime
The police claimed one of the suspects, Tamjid Ahmmed Rubel, also known as “shooter Rubel,” has reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime.
Two of them are convicted criminals and drug addicts, the police said.
Monitoring group SITE Intelligence had reported that the Islamic State terror group had claimed responsibility for the murders of Tavella’s and Japanese national Kunio Hoshi, who was killed in northern Rangpur on October 3.
But the Bangladesh government has denied that claim and said there was no visible presence of IS in the country.
Security beefed up
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport following following intelligence warnings on possible subversive activities, said an airport official.
Police have also reportedly stepped up security in Chittagong city and its key points.
BBN/SK/AD