Two Arrested Over Beating Two Foreign Nationals in Dhaka

Police have arrested two people over the beating of two foreign nationals in Dhaka’s Bashundhara, saying the incident occurred due to a dispute while exchanging dollars for taka.

Police filed a case over the incident around midnight on Tuesday, according to Mazharul Islam, chief of Vatara Police Station.

The two foreigners are Iranian nationals – a grandfather and grandson - who are visiting Dhaka. They were identified with the single names Ahmed and Mehedi.

Ahmed had a previous relationship with a clothing trader in Bangladesh, according to HM Shafiqur Rahman, assistant commissioner of the Badda Zone of police. The Iranian family also knew the trader’s son through the family connection.

“A few days ago, they came to Bangladesh on a visit. They contacted the son of the clothing trader to exchange some dollars. They exchanged quite a bit of money. When they attempted to leave with the taka, there was an uproar over claims that they had given them fewer dollars than agreed.”

Locals in the area started to gather and chase their vehicle. In a panic, the driver attempted to drive off and hit a rickshaw.

The crowd detained and beat them and their vehicle was vandalised, the police official said.

Police have filed a case over the incident, said Sub-Inspector Habibur Rahman of Vatara Police Station.

“Two people named Abdullah and Sabbir have been arrested,” he said.