Priya Saha won't be arrested, Dhaka assures Washington

Bangladesh has conveyed to the United States that the government will not arrest Priya Saha upon her return and provide protection to her if she seeks it.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen shared the government's position with reporters at his office on Wednesday on what he exactly informed to US official in Washington who is looking after Bangladesh affairs. 

"The official wanted to know whether we'll arrest and file case against Priya Saha. I said, no. We won't arrest her," Dr Momen said while talking to a small group of reporters.

The Foreign Minister also conveyed to the US officials that many people in Bangladesh are dissatisfied since her remarks were completely false and baseless but the government will provide protection to her as it is obliged to do so. 

Dr Momen said Bangladesh is a model and shining example of a country with religious harmony.
 
He pointed out there is no country in the world where all enjoy public holidays during all religious festivals.
 
Dr Momen said Priya Saha was not part four-member government delegation but the US government picked others including Priya Saha. 

The Foreign Minister said the government expects that organisers of such a big international event would invite responsible individuals who would objectively contribute to promoting the true spirit and value of religious freedom.

On July 20, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, said it appears that there was an ulterior motive behind Priya Saha’s absolutely false and concocted stories that were targeted to malign Bangladesh.
 
"Bangladesh is a beacon of religious freedom and communal harmony, where the people of all faiths have been living in peace for ages," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly protesting all the blatant lies said by Priya Saha to US President Donald Trump.
 
The government also condemned her remarks in the strongest possible terms.
 
Priya Saha participated in the Second Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom held at the US Department of State in Washington, DC on July 16-18.
 
Foreign Minister Momen attended the meeting.
 
Delegates from 106 countries, including about 40 Foreign Ministers, attended the meeting at the invitation of Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State.