MoFA in close contact with US agencies over murder of Bangladeshi PhD students

The Bangladesh government has expressed deep condolences over the killing of one Bangladeshi PhD student and the disappearance of another in the US.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said this evening that it affirms its commitment to ensuring justice through close cooperation with all relevant authorities.

Immediately after receiving news of the missing of two Bangladeshi students -- Zamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Bristy -- enrolled at the University of South Florida, the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC and the Bangladesh Consulate General in Miami have maintained close and continuous contact with relevant US authorities, university administration, and investigative agencies.

In the meantime, the body of Limon has been recovered. The Bangladesh Consulate in Miami is actively working with local funeral authorities and all concerned parties to repatriate the body to Bangladesh as quickly as possible.

Given current constraints in transporting the body from Tampa, Florida via Dubai, alternative routes are being actively considered, the MoFA statement said.

On the other hand, the embassy is maintaining regular contact with relevant US authorities to obtain more information regarding Nahida Sultana Bristy.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, and the Consulate General in Miami are maintaining constant communication with the bereaved families.

The US investigative agency, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, has informed the embassy that a suspect has already been detained in connection with this incident and two counts of first-degree murder have been filed against him.

As the investigation is actively ongoing, the Sheriff's Office is unable to disclose detailed information at this moment but has assured that next steps will be coordinated directly with the victims' families.