New Age | RAB arrests GS Ju-Jitsu Association rape suspect

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion arrested Bangladesh Ju-Jitsu Association general secretary Rafiqul Islam on Saturday for repeatedly raping a female ju-jutsu athlete and threatening to post pictures and videos of the rape scenes on social media.

A ju-jitsu player, who was accused of abetting Rafiqul in raping her, was also arrested at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station in connection with the victim’s complaint.

In a raid, RAB-12 and its detective wing arrested 65-year-old Rafiqul from Mirpur and the accused player from Shah Ali district.

Rafiqul is currently in RAB custody while the arrested woman has been handed over to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police station.

Rafiqul was arrested under the Prevention of Oppression of Women and Children Act and the Control of Pornography Act, according to Arafat Islam, the commander of RAB’s Legal and Media Department, who spoke during a press conference in his office.

On May 5, the victim reported the entire incident in writing to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, alleging that Rafiqul raped and physically abused female players during ju-jutsu training.

In response to the allegation, the sports ministry formed a three-member inquiry committee on May 13 to complete the inquiry report by June 12.

SM Kabirul Hasan, legal officer of the National Sports Council and member of the inquiry committee, told New Age on Saturday that the committee has summoned the victim for a hearing on May 14.

“We have received some evidence from the victim which confirms that she became pregnant and underwent an abortion,” Kabirul said.

“There could be four other victims of the same accused person as we suspect after speaking to the main victim,” he added.

Ju-Jitsu is a family of Japanese martial arts and a close-quarters combat system (unarmed or with a small weapon) that can be used defensively or offensively to kill or subdue one or more unarmed or armed and armored opponents.