By Adil Sakhawat & Niloy Alam in Dhaka Tribune, June 7, 2017
A Bangladeshi-born Canadian citizen, who is wanted in Canada and on the red list of Interpol for advocating genocide and promoting hate crimes, has been living in Dhaka for the past seven years.
He is wanted for two counts of advocating genocide, the first in the history of Canada and three counts of promoting hatred, according to the National Post, a Canadian news outlet. If found guilty, he could be imprisoned for up to 16 years.
Salman An-Noor Hossain, born in 1985, went to Canada as a child when his parents migrated. He grew up there, and enrolled at the University of Toronto Mississauga. His earliest promotion of terrorism dates back to at least 2007, when he was investigated by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
As his anti-Semitic writings became more aggressive and frequent in nature over the years, Jewish organisations in Canada formally complained about him in 2010. A website titled “Filthy Jewish Terrorists” was operated by Salman to share his somewhat questionable views.
He frequently boasted being friends with jihadists, especially 18 terrorists arrested for a conspiracy to carry out a major attack throughout Toronto in 2006.
Salman’s remarks online and in public outraged his classmates and prompted an investigation by Ontario police in March 2010. Initial findings did not reveal sufficient evidence to warrant his arrest. But in July 2010, he was charged with promoting genocide and hate crimes against Jews. He was expelled from the university and the school’s Muslim Student Association shunned him.
Salman fled the country in May 2010 just before the charges were filed. He continued posting inflammatory anti-Semitic message on various sites.
Canadian police reported his case to the Interpol, who issued a red notice for his arrest in November 2010 and placed him in their Most Wanted list.
In Dhaka: He has been recently spotted in Dhaka, where he has been living for the past seven years, according to a National Post article.
Salman, now aged 32, was photographed outside the Gulshan outlet of an international coffee house franchise. His recent pictures show a drastic change from the photo issued by Interpol. Salman, who stands at 5’2”, looks to have lost several kgs and shaved his head.
Other photos show him visiting a number of hotels and restaurants in Dhaka on a regular basis. He also frequents a gym at an upscale hotel in Banani.
He reportedly lives in an apartment in Diyabari, Uttara and drives a silver Toyota Corolla.
The Dhaka Tribune called Salman on his mobile phone Monday evening. The receiver initially acknowledged he was Salman and asked the reporter to call back after iftar. When called later, the receiver denied any such fact and claimed to be Ratan.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Salman appeared to be very excited by the slaughter of a goat during Eid-ul-Fitr. He feverishly shouted “Allahu Akbar” which seemed to annoy the butcher who told Salman to shut up.
The video was posted on September 14, 2016 with the caption: “This is how the evil Yahud and their helpers and slaves need to be executed when caught and punished worldwide. Da’esh – have u forgotten your duties to target Israel and important Jews yet?”
Da’esh is another name for international terrorist organisation Islamic State.
The National Post also reported quoting a Facebook user who is acquainted with Salman, that he had discussed moving to Malaysia.
Earlier in 2009, several Jewish groups filed complaints with Ontario police against Salman for spreading hate crimes. A lack of sufficient evidence kept him from being arrested, but he was reported by Ontario Attorney General to undergo rehabilitation and cease posting anti-Semitic messages online.
But after a few months, he resumed disseminating hate speech against Jews. In many of his messages on public platforms, he called for the death of Canadian soldiers and the defence minister who was visiting Afghanistan.
Local police unaware: The Dhaka Tribune reached out to Additional Inspector General (NCB) Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, who is Bangladesh Police’s liaison to Interpol, to inquire about the response to the Interpol notice.
AIG Mahbubur expressed surprise at the news of a wanted criminal hiding in Bangladesh.
He said: “We have no idea about this. He might be wanted in Canada, but not in Bangladesh. Anyone can be in the ‘wanted’ list in a country but it’s up to the host country to arrest him or not.”
When asked if Salman was a threat to Bangladesh or foreigners living in the country, since he has been accused by Canadian law enforcement agencies for advocating genocide, AIG Mahbubur replied: “Yes, that’s true, but the Canadian government did not make any special requests.”
AIG Mahbubur said police will look into the matter.
Of note, Bangladesh has no extradition treaty with Canada. The lack of the treaty has also prevented Bangladesh from requesting the arrest of one of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s killers, Nur Chowdhury.
The Dhaka Tribune contacted the Canadian High Commission in Bangladesh via email and phone, but has not received any response as of 7pm Tuesday.
Chronicle of Salman An-Noor Hossain’s actions in Canada. www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/06/06/canadian-fugitive-hiding-bangladesh/
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