§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Bangladesh regarding the case of Surat Miah, a former constituent, beaten to death in Dhaka's international airport after refusing to pay a bribe; and if he will ask them(a) when and (b) why those arrested in connection with the murder were released. [57277]
§ Mr. BradshawOur High Commission in Dhaka have raised the case of Surat Miah with the Bangladeshi authorities many times, most recently on 23 April 2002. The four suspects arrested in connection with the murder were released on 23 October 2001. We understand they were acquitted because of a lack of evidence. As Surat Miah was not a British national we are unable to make consular representations to the Bangladesh Government. However, our High Commission have continued to make known the widespread concern in Britain over the case.