Dhaka, Oct 13 (V7N): Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan stated on Sunday that if the initial investigation reveals no involvement, Shakib Al Hasan will be exonerated from the murder case. He remarked, "There are no legal barriers preventing Shakib from traveling in and out of the country. If the preliminary investigation finds no involvement, his name will be cleared from the murder case."

The advisor made these comments during a press conference after visiting Mirpur Stadium, reiterating his position from previous statements. Recently, he indicated that Shakib would be provided maximum security.

Asif Mahmud emphasized, "As far as I know, there should be no restrictions on his travel. The legal details are the responsibility of the Ministry of Law. While I'm neither an expert nor accountable for the Ministry of Law, we have engaged with them. They have confirmed that if the preliminary investigation shows no involvement, Shakib’s name will be removed from the murder case."

He expressed confidence that there are currently no legal issues concerning Shakib's return to the country, adding, "The law takes its own course, and I cannot comment on that. Asif Sir from the Ministry of Law has addressed this matter."

The advisor acknowledged the respect that Bangladeshi citizens have for the law, stating, "Even after significant uprisings, our people have shown respect for the law. We have not descended into chaos like in other countries under similar circumstances."

On October 9, Shakib issued an apology on his official Facebook page, expressing regret for his silence during the student movement and clarifying his political stance. Addressing this and discussing Shakib's security, the sports advisor remarked, "The state must ensure the safety of every citizen, including the national cricket team, and we will uphold that responsibility."

He acknowledged the strong emotions surrounding Shakib, given his association with the previous government, saying, "He has clarified his position in his post. While there are lingering emotions—whether justified or not—I won’t engage in that debate."

Referring to recent messages from fans against Shakib, Asif Mahmud acknowledged their right to express their feelings, stating, "A cricketer will play, and he is a citizen of Bangladesh. I see no barriers to his return."

Emphasizing the importance of respecting the law, he added, "If there are legal issues, the law will take its course. However, we should prioritize security concerns, especially with South Africa arriving soon for a two-match Test series. We must maintain a safe environment, or other teams may hesitate to come to Bangladesh."

South Africa is scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on October 16 for the Test series, which begins on October 21. However, the prevailing discussion remains focused on Shakib Al Hasan and whether he will be able to bid farewell on home soil.

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