Dearest friends, well-wishers, brothers and sisters:

I was arrested on 29th November 2003 for planning to visit Israel. The joint interrogation cell (JIC), in the name of interrogation mercilessly tortured me for consecutive 7 (seven) days.

Now they have lodged a case under passport act of 1973 and sought 5 more days remand. I am detained in a cell in Dhaka central jail (14 cell), which is basically made for mentally insane people and drug addicts.

I cannot sleep till deep hours of night since there is tremendous noise created by the "mad" prisoners. My health condition has deteriorated.

Although the court ordered for proper treatment of my eyes, the jail authorities are absolutely careless about it. I have serious eye problem. I am sleeping on floor.

Bangladesh government is planning to seize/confiscate my passport (which is already in their custody) to stop me from going abroad in future.

Authorities do not want me to speak about the Islamic kindergarten nor they want me to disclose it's bad activities. Various fundamentalists and extremist groups are investing fund, instigating and lobbying with the government to keep me detained for a long time.

Pro-Saddam and pro al-Qaeda groups are also very active against me.

If the us government (even an under secretary) would kindly raise the issue with Bangladesh government and demand end of harassment on me, it would greatly help me. The message (from us) may reach Bangladesh government latest by 23rd December 2003. For, i would be produced before the magistrate's court on 24/12/2003.

Please also create a pressure group and (if possible), a few people would demonstrate in front of Bangladesh embassy in the united states carrying placard demanding my immediate release.

Government has seized all equipment from my newspaper office virtually paralyzing the office. So, i cannot continue publication of the weekly blitz. My family and myself are in danger and financial constraint for everyday (through my family) i have to send "fund" to the concerned department to lessen the amount of torture and not to lodge cases which could ultimately ruin my life.

I am writing these extremely personal matters to you, because, here in Bangladesh, I do not see anybody extending their helping hands fearing attack on them.

In jail too i received life threat from fundamentalist prisoners and pro laden / Saddam prisoners.

I appeal to all of you to kindly rescue me and my family from this crisis and please help me to push forward my effort of establishing peace and relations of Israel with the Moslem countries and establish better relations and understanding between Moslems and Jews around the world.

Amen

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
From Dhaka Central Jail