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Deerfield, IL - Congressman Mark Kirk
(R-Highland Park) and freelance writer Dr. Richard Benkin
teamed up to win the release of pro-Israel journalist Shoaib
Choudhury from a Bangladeshi prison on Saturday. Choudhury, a
Bangladesh citizen, was charged with sedition, accused of
committing espionage for the State of Israel. He spent more
than 17 months in a Bangladesh prison simply for advocating
Jewish and Muslim dialogue and establishing ties between
Bangladesh and Israel. Kirk praised Dr. Benkin of Mt.
Prospect, highlighting his advocacy on behalf of Shoaib
Choudhury and his role in Shoaib’s freedom.
“Dr. Benkin’s work teaches us that one person can make a
difference,” said Kirk. “Shoaib Choudhury sat in a Bangladesh
prison for over 17 months for committing no crime. But for Dr.
Benkin, Shoaib would still be in prison possibly facing a
death sentence. Benkin’s commitment to justice is the reason
Shoaib is free today.”
Shoaib Choudhury intended to travel to Israel to
participate in the annual Hebrew Writers Conference in 2003.
He would have been the first Bangladesh citizen ever to
participate in this annual global conference on Israel’s
international status. Just before boarding the plane, he was
arrested. Choudhury originally thought he had been arrested
for violating Bangladesh’s prohibition on travel to Israel --
a minor offense carrying a maximum penalty of 90 days in
jail.
Choudhury was taken to Dhaka Central Jail where after
months of interrogation, he was charged with sedition, a crime
punishable by death.
Writing several stories for various international
newspapers advocating for Shoaib’s release, Dr. Benkin called
Congressman Kirk, hoping to receive the federal government’s
help.
In April, Dr. Benkin met with Congressman Kirk who arranged
a meeting with Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States,
Shamsher M. Chowdhury. Together, they discussed ways on
expediting Shoaib’s release from prison and also his declining
health.
While in prison, Choudhury suffered from glaucoma. Working
with U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Harry Thomas, Kirk worked
with the State Department to secure Shoaib’s release and for
him to receive proper medical treatment. Three weeks later,
Dr. Benkin received a surprise phone call while on his way to
synagogue.
“Hello my brother, I am free,” were the words Dr. Benkin
heard from Choudhury.
“I didn’t mind crying in public because they were tears of
immense joy,” said Benkin. “When I called him on Sunday, I
asked him how it felt to sleep at home for the first time in
seventeen months. He said it was like a dream, something I
wondered would ever happen again.”
A couple days before his release, Choudhury met with
government officials who expressed optimism over allowing open
news and information about the Middle East, to promote and
support interfaith dialogue, and to help in the restoration of
Bangladeshi values of tolerance and democracy in opposition to
radical fundamentalists. Shoaib’s computers and other
possessions are to be returned to him within two weeks.
Although released on bail, the charge of sedition has
currently not been dropped. Since Choudhury’s arrest,
Bangladesh legalized travel to Israel. Congressman Kirk
is working with the State Department to ensure the charges
against Choudhury are dropped.
Note !!! Congressman Kirk and Dr. Benkin will be honored
for their work during a special ceremony at Temple Chai, 1670
Checker Road, Long Grove, Illinois on Sunday, May
22.
Contact: Matt
Towson
847-940-0202
cell: 773-454-5396
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