Pori Moni speaks out about arrest, seeks answers from the state

She said these things in a long status on her verified Facebook account late Friday (July 10) night.

In the status, Pori Moni wrote that the 2021 incident deeply hurt her as an artist, a woman, and a human being. Its impact was not only on her but also on her family, relatives, and well-wishers.

Referring to recent comments made by former RAB intelligence chief Lieutenant Colonel (retd.) Khairul Islam in an online talk show, she said that some information emerged in that discussion which led her to believe that after the raid on her Banani residence on August 4, 2021, she was wrongfully arrested on the orders of the then RAB chief and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun.

Pori Moni further claimed that she was shown as arrested in a false and fabricated case and kept in jail for 28 consecutive days. According to her, the experience of that time has permanently damaged her life.

In the status, she said that from the day of her arrest until today, she sees herself as a victim of that incident. She also commented that the way her honor, morality, and character were questioned will remain a painful chapter in the history of Bangladesh.

Raising several questions to the state, Pori Moni asked whether the lost time, honor, and mental peace can ever be restored. She also questioned whether the state will take responsibility for the confusing perceptions created in people's minds about her.

However, the actress mentioned that she wants to speak for truth, justice, and humanity, not revenge. She said she never wanted to be known as a controversial person; rather, she wanted to live as an artist with people's love.

In the final part of the status, Pori Moni expressed gratitude to her family, friends, colleagues, journalists, and fans who stood by her during difficult times. She said she wants to move forward focusing on her work, her child, her family, and the love of the audience, not the wounds of the past.

It is to be noted that on August 4, 2021, RAB conducted a raid at Pori Moni's residence in Banani, Dhaka. Later, she was shown as arrested in a case under the Narcotics Control Act. After several rounds of remand, she was released on bail after spending 28 days in jail. The issue recently came back into discussion following comments made by former RAB officer Lieutenant Colonel (retd.) Khairul Islam in a talk show.