During recent protests against government job quotas, Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the ruling party, and police used violence against demonstrators on July 15 and 16.

This resulted in the deaths of five protesters, one in Dhaka from police gunfire, three in Chittagong, and one in Rangpur, all during BCL attacks. Numerous students were injured, with several reported in critical condition.

Notably, over 300 students were injured in BCL attacks on Dhaka University protesters. Leaders from both the BCL central committee and Dhaka University National Council, including Akib Muhammad Fuad, were seen participating in these attacks against unarmed demonstrators.

Analysis of multiple videos shared on social media and news platforms confirms that Akib, armed with weapons, led an attack on protesting students with his associates on July 15.

An online media outlet livestreamed a video that afternoon showing Akib brandishing national arms at the students. The videos and images are archived with Bangla Outlook.

Akib Mohammad Fuad, a fellow at the School for Young Politicians of the German-based Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), was appointed to this prestigious fellowship for 24-25 years, as announced by KAS last February.

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) provides training for young politicians globally, focusing on developing leadership skills for accountable and credible political parties in Asia.

KAS emphasizes its "School for Young Politicians," which aims to nurture young leaders who will champion responsibility, human rights, freedom of speech,justice, equality, rule of law, tolerance, and respect for popular sovereignty through active participation.

This training fosters democratic values and encourages policy dialogue.

Despite participating in a training program designed to promote democratic values, Akib has been implicated in armed attacks against students exercising their democratic rights during his two years in the program.

Furthermore, evidence suggests Fuad's involvement in various undemocratic activities beyond assaulting protesters.

He is known for his role in the Awami League's propaganda cell and is often seen at events organized by the Center for Research and Information (CRI), where he actively works.

A May report by tech giant Meta revealed the Center for Research and Information (CRI) was involved in spreading coordinated misinformation against the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Meta's report stated that 148 Facebook pages and accounts linked to CRI and the Awami League were removed in the first quarter of this year.

Akib consistently disseminated false information and hate speech through his personal Facebook and Twitter profiles, using accounts like BD Analytica and Bangladesh Perspectives.

Examples of such content can be found here and here from these now inactive Facebook pages.

Before the January 7 election, Akib shared a fabricated screenshot involving Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and former president, which was subsequently debunked as misinformation by the fact-checking organization AFP.

Akib was expelled from the 2021-22 cohort of the Konrad Adenauer School for Young Politicians due to evidence of spreading misinformation, including against another former Chhatra League leader and current CRI coordinator.

He has also posted misinformation and hate speech targeting news media outlets reporting on government corruption, as well as individuals such as Dr. Yunus, Professor Ali Riaz, and journalist Arafatul Islam.

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