Update: MAHEE FERDOUS ABDUCTION, BUSINESSMAN ARRESTED

James Frankcom: Police have charged Sadek Ali (41) with conspiracy to kidnap in relation to the alleged abduction and torture of Mahee Ferdous Jalil. Sadek Ali is a prominent local businessman who may have been involved, at least in the past, with another Bengali language television broadcaster.

As we reported last week, Mahee Ferdous Jalil was allegedly abducted by armed men outside his office in Walthamstow in the early hours of Wednesday 25 May. Following his abduction he was viciously beaten with implements that included a hammer and also had boiling water poured over him as his assailants demanded large amounts of cash. No money was handed over. During a pause in his torture Ferdous was able to make a miraculous escape and has since returned to work where he is making a good recovery from his injuries.

Sadek Ali was arrested two days later and charged with conspiracy to kidnap by Waltham Forest Police in relation to this incident and appeared at Waltham Forest Magistrates Court on 30 May. He has been remanded in custody and awaits trial.

Mahee Ferdous is the founder of Channel S Television, the most popular Bengali language television broadcaster in the UK. He is also well known among the Bengali community as a philanthropist.

Sadek Ali claimed to be a director of ATN Bangla UK, a Bengali language television broadcaster, at the BritBangla 6th Anniversary Awards in December 2009. On the BritBangla website photographs of Mr. Ali appearing on stage with various TV personalities can be seen and another of “his” companies, Accident Claims UK Limited, was said to have sponsored the event.

ATN Bangla UK is described on its own website as “the most progressive Bengali language TV Channel in the UK” offering “unparalleled” diversity in its programming. Direct Accident Claims UK Limited is currently in liquidation.