Books seized in Bangladesh raid

By Waliur Rahman
BBC News, Dhaka

Mr Sayeed said the police did not have a warrant

Police in Bangladesh have raided the home of an opposition leader and seized copies of two books he has published.

Abu Sayeed of the Awami League Party said plainclothes police entered his house without warning.

The books chart the rise of Islamic groups and alleged brutality carried out against opposition figures since the last election in 2001.

Home ministry officials say the books were seized to verify whether they contain any anti-national statements.

'Violation'

A team from Dhaka police's elite Detective Branch entered the house of Abu Sayeed just as he finished a press conference on the books he published earlier this week - Blueprint for an Undeclared War and Brutal Crime Documents.

Mr Sayeed was information minister under Sheikh Hasina

Mr Sayeed was the information minister before the current government took office in 2001.

Mr Sayeed said there was undeclared war taking place with some extremist Islamic groups wanting to establish religious rule.

The politician said he had asked police for a search warrant but they did not produce one.

He said this was a clear violation of the constitution and human rights.

Police said the books were seized because they had not given clearance for their publication.

Senior officials at the home ministry told the BBC the books might contain anti-national and false statements and that they were seized to examine the contents.

They said the books would be banned and legal action taken against the author if this was true.