Former ambassador Khairuzzaman released from Malaysia detention

Authorities have released former Bangladesh high commissioner Mohamed Khairuzzaman, who was detained on February 9 by Malaysian immigration, according to a human rights activist based in Malaysia.

He was released on Wednesday after spending eight days in Malaysian immigration custody.

On February 9, Malaysian immigration authorities detained retired major Mohamed Khairuzzaman, who was charged in 1975 Jail Killings case and later acquitted.

He was picked up from his residence in the Ampang area of Kuala Lumpur’s Selangor area.

The Business Insider Bangladesh broke the news, which has later been published by media outlets in Bangladesh and Malaysia.

Following his release, Khairuzzaman, 70, said he was overwhelmed when told of his release and thanked the courts, his lawyers and the Malaysian government for freeing him, reported a Malaysian news portal.

Khairuzzaman’s lawyer Ngeow Chow Ying said no conditions were tied to his release and he was a free man now.

Government reactions:

A day after Khairuzzaman’s detention, Shahriar Alam, state minister for foreign affairs, said the former ambassador was detained for breaching immigration rules and now kept at a deportation centre.

But Shahriar said he is not sure which section of the immigration law Khairuzzaman had breached.

On the same day, Malaysian home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin confirmed Khairuzzaman’s arrest and said, “The arrest was made according to procedures."

On the grounds of the arrest, the minister said it was due to “an offence committed and a request by his home country.”

On February 14, Shahriar Alam said that Khairuzzaman would be brought back home soon adding that the government can talk to the UN, if necessary, to explain further as there is a specific definition for refugees.

Legal battle:

Following Khairuzzaman’s arrest, his lawyers issued a habeas corpus writ petition to the Malaysian authorities challenging the former diplomat’s detention and possible deportation.

Demanding his immediate release, the notice said that Khairuzzaman has the right to stay in Malaysia as a UNHCR cardholder.

On Tuesday, the Malaysian High Court issued an interim order asking Malaysia’s immigration department to halt Khairuzzaman’s deportation to Bangladesh.

Khairuzzaman’s history:

Khairuzzaman was one of the accused of being involved in the assassination of four national leaders — also known as 1975 Jail Killings.

However, during her premiership with Khaleda Zia from 2001 to 2006 period, Khairuzzaman was released on bail, reinstated as director general in the foreign ministry, and acquitted by a court.

In August 2007, he was appointed high commissioner to Malaysia with the rank and status of a first-class ambassador.

After assuming office, the Sheikh Hasina-led government in January 2009 recalled Khairuzzaman to Dhaka and revoked his Bangladesh passport.

Assuming the imminent risk to his life Khairuzzaman approached the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur and obtained an identity card to continue his stay in Malaysia.