4 held in Bangladesh over Italian aid worker's murder

Four persons have been arrested in Bangladesh in connection with the murder of an Italian aid worker last month, in an attack claimed by the dreaded Islamic State terrorist group, police said today.

"Four suspects have been detained over the murder of Cesare Tavella, including three who were involved in the killing, Detective Branch Joint Commissioner Monirul Islam was quoted as saying by bdnews24 online.

He said they have managed to track down the motorcycle used by assailants to escape from the spot after 50-year-old Tavella's murder at the capital's diplomatic Gulshan area.

"The motorbike has been confiscated," he added.

The four detained are Russel aka Vagne Rusel, Rubel aka Shooter Rubel, Russel aka Chakti Russel and Sharif, it reported.

They were nabbed from different parts of Dhaka yesterday, he added.

Tavella, was shot thrice from a close range on September 28 while he was jogging. Five days later, a 66-year-old Japanese farmer was also killed in a similar attack on the outskirts of northern Rangpur city.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for both the killings. But Bangladesh government has downplayed the claims.

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country, has been rocked by gruesome murders of atheist bloggers this year. The attacks have sparked a crackdown on hardline Islamist groups.

-PTI