Abdul Latif suffers ‘heart attack’

Sacked minister Abdul Latif Siddique suffered a cardiac arrest at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) where he has been undergoing treatment since December 6.

Abdul Latif was shifted to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) around 9:00am after he suffered heart attack at the Cabin Block of the hospital, Farman Ali, senior jail super of Dhaka Central Jail, told The Daily Star.

BSMMU Director Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Majid Bhuiyan confirmed the matter.

The former Awami League leader was transferred to the Cabin Block from Dhaka Central Jail on December 6 after he complained of chest pain and high blood pressure.

The 77-year-old politician is now behind bars in connection with a case filed for hurting religious sentiment of people through his comments on hajj and Tablighi Jamaat.

On November 25, a Dhaka court sent the expelled AL leader to prison after he surrendered to Dhanmondi Model Police Station on the same day, two days after returning home from India.

If he is found guilty in the case, he could be sentenced to one year's imprisonment or fine, or both.

Latif was accused in around 22 cases filed in 18 districts on charges of offending religious sentiment. There have been multiple arrest warrants for him.