Blogger's death deals blow to #Shahbag protests

Feb 16

Web Only

Blogger's death deals blow to #Shahbag protests

Bangladeshi netizens outraged over death of activist linked to war crimes protests.

A man chants slogans during a mass demonstration demanding the execution of all war criminals, including Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Mollah, at Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka February 14, 2013. Reuters/ANDREW BIRAJ

The Stream will cover the #Shahbag protests on Tuesday, February 19 at 19:30 GMT.

The killing of Bangladeshi blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider has sparked an uproar online among netizens who have mobilised around the hashtag #Shahbag. The hashtag refers to Shahbag square, where thousands of people have rallied since February 5 over a recent war crimes trial verdict.

Haider is believed to have been active with protesters who are demanding the death sentence for an opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party leader found guilty of war crimes.

According to local newspaper bdnews24.com, police found Haider on Friday with a scarf wrapped around his throat. Several unconfirmed sources claimed he was dismembered.

View the story "Blogger's death deals blow to #Shahbag protests" on StorifyBlogger's death deals blow to #Shahbag protestsBangladeshi netizens outraged over death of activist linked to war crimes protests.Storified by The Stream· Sat, Feb 16 2013 11:01:53URGENT: WE, IN PERSON, CONFIRMED THE NEWS. A BLOGGER KILLED, DISMEMBERED IN DHAKA. DETAILS COMING. #Shahbag #ShahbaghShahbag Square LIVEBlogger hacked to death in #Dhaka. Hope police catch the killer(s) soon. #Shahbag Pls don't blame anyone without proof. #FreedomOfSpeechAngry BangladeshOthers, who referred to Haider using his online alias Thaba Baba, urged netizens not to jump to conclusions.
Why make big fuss about #ThabaBaba when things are still not clear?? Get the evidences first, then demand justice!! http://pathikrasel.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-tribute-to-thaba-baba.htmlPathik RaselTo #Shahbag : Unless you have concrete proof please stop wildly pointing fingers at #Jamaat #Shibir. This is a condemnable act of terror.Hussein M Talukdar

Several tweets alluded to Haider's criticism of Jamaat-e-Islami as the reason why he was targeted.

#ThabaBaba was the pseudonym of slain #Shahbag Blogger #AhmedRajibHaider. His fault? Being vocal against Jamaat-Shibir's Nazi like extremismRayhan Rashid

Netizens are also circulating the image below - a screenshot of a Jamaat-linked blog that shows information regarding key Shahbag protesters. Haider's name and Facebook profile were on the post, which has since been deleted.

google.comMany tweeted their condolences, sharing memories and images of Haider. Thousands of people gathering at #shahbag right now, #unity for liberated #bangladesh, #RIPThabababa @ShahbagInfoSabhanaz Rashid DiyaRIP Ahmed Rajib Haider (blogger ThabaBaba) #shahbag http://pic.twitter.com/2NvfBxxpPoltuHere's a picture of Rajib bhai, taken 4 months ago at an Iftar party. I demand justice! #Shahbag http://pic.twitter.com/6NtVxTpzRussell John