Tareq Rahman's security risk, two cabin crew removed from flight

Two cabin crew have been removed from duty from a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying BNP acting chairman Tariq Rahman. Biman sources said that this decision has been taken considering security and VIP management.

The cabin crew who were removed from duty are Junior Purser Md. Saugatul Alam Saugat and Flight Stewardess Jinia Islam. A responsible source at Biman Bangladesh Airlines confirmed the matter.

Sources said that the security risk of the flight was assessed in the context of Tariq Rahman's return to Dhaka from London. Considering the information mentioned in the intelligence report and the safety of VIP passengers, the two cabin crew were removed from duty on the flight.

The intelligence report mentioned that there is information about the political affiliation of the two cabin crew. In addition, the matter came into fresh discussion after their pictures with several Awami League leaders were circulated on social media. It is alleged that they were regularly responsible for operating the flights of former MP Sheikh Selim.

According to Biman sources, after a security assessment, junior purser Mustafa and flight stewardess Ayat have been newly included in the relevant flight.

It is worth noting that Biman Bangladesh Airlines' BG-202 flight carrying Tarique Rahman is scheduled to depart for Dhaka from Heathrow Airport in London, UK, on ​​Wednesday (December 24) evening. Tarique Rahman's family members and several top BNP leaders are expected to be on the flight. Tarique Rahman is expected to arrive in Dhaka on December 25.

There is a precedent for a similar decision earlier. On May 2 this year, two cabin crew members named Al Kubrun Nahar Kosmik and Md. Kamrul Islam Ripon were removed from duty from a flight of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia based on an intelligence report. At that time, too, the security of the VIP passenger and political affiliation were cited as reasons.