A chronological overview is presented here. Note how the government keeps on filing new charges right around the time that the previous detention deadline approaches.

JAN 11, 2007: Amid political chaos, an interim government backed by the military comes to power in Bangladesh. Within weeks later it begins a much-needed drive against corruption.

FEB 4, 2007: The government arrests a number of high-level politicians, including Dr. Alamgir during midnight raids. Many documents are confiscated from the house. No incriminating evidence of corruption or undue wealth found against Dr. Alamgir, unlike many of the others arrested.

FEB 6, 2007: Under the Special Powers Act, Dr. Alamgir is imprisoned without charges and without bail.

FEB 19, 2007: The government serves him a notice, in jail, to submit within 72 hours a statement of wealth including his entire life’s income and expenses, or risk the seizure of his assets. The government proclaims that any inconsistency in the statement supplied and what the government expects will be considered as an act of hiding information, and as indication of corruption.

FEB 22, 2007: Dr. Alamgir submits his lifetime wealth statement, prepared in jail and to the best of his memory, since he is denied access to any of his documents.

MAR 4, 2007: Without court intervention, the government unilaterally extends his detention for another thirty days, until April 6. No charges are brought yet.

MAR 5, 2007: The High Court prepares to hear Dr. Alamgir's habeas corpus case (violation of fundamental rights). The government is under pressure to bring charges to justify his imprisonment.

MAR 6, 2007: The High Court declares Dr. Alamgir's detention illegal. The government brings charges of conspiracy against the state, but fails to provide evidence. The High Court dismisses the treason case and orders the government to free Dr. Alamgir, unless he is arrested on some other charge.

MAR 6, 2007: The Anti-Corruption Commission immediately brings another charge against Dr. Alamgir. In its FIR (First Information Report), the government states that his wealth is disproportionate to his income and that he be kept detained. According to an ACC Source, "The rationale behind the move to sue [them] on an urgent basis is to resist their release, as the 30-day detention period for many of the graft suspects would soon run out" (The Daily Star, March 7, 2007).

APR 3, 2007: Right before the additional 30-days detention deadline runs out, the government applies to the Supreme Court and obtains a stay order against the High Court's verdict to free Dr. Alamgir. The Supreme Court essentially gives the government another thirty days to build its case. Dr. Alamgir is still jailed without bail.

APR 24, 2007: An extortion case is filed against Dr. Alamgir, alleging that he and 114 others demanded Tk 60,000 (approx. US$ 850) in connection with a road development work in Chandpur (a district in eastern Bangladesh) on January 5, 2007. Dr. Alamgir was not even in any authority to award such contracts, since he has not been a part of the government since 2001.

APR 26, 2007: Hundreds of local lawyers appear in court to argue against the alleged extortion case. (Read details.)

APR 29, 2007: The Anti-Corruption Commission files chargesheets (formal evidence) against Dr. Alamgir, stating that in his wealth statement he failed to disclose six fixed-deposit accounts valued at Tk 11.7 million (approx. US$ 167,000). The ACC uses the term "conceal," indicating that this was "omission" was deliberate, after it forced Dr. Alamgir to prepare a statement entirely from memory. (Read details: why these charges are motivated).

MAY 1, 2007: US Senator Edward Kennedy writes a letter to US Ambassador Patricia Butenis expressing concern about Dr. Alamgir's detention. Ambassador Butenis provides a non-committed reply.

MAY 6, 2007: Dr. Alamgir is brought to court and the court "takes cognizance" of the ACC's charges of concealment of wealth. Hundreds of journalists wait outside, as they are suddenly barred from watching the proceedings.

MAY 8, 2007: The American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest scientific society, issues an action alert, informing its members of the violation of Dr. Alamgir's fundamental rights.

MAY 8, 2007: The Washington Post reports on Dr. Alamgir's case.

MAY 9, 2007: Dr. Alamgir's case is brought before the Third Special Court (Speedy Tribunal). The government applies for additional time for "further investigation." The Court grants the prayer, and fixes May 21 as the next hearing date. Dr. Alamgir remains in prison without bail.

MAY 10, 2007: An essay in the Daily Star reveals the farce in the government's case against Dr. Alamgir.

MAY 14, 2007: Fifteen US senators, including Hillary Clinton, Edward Kennedy, and John Kerry send a letter to the Bangladesh government, urging respect for due process, restoration of fundamental rights, and the need to hold elections and return to democracy as soon as possible.

JUL 11, 2007: In the first instance of its kind, 3 eminent citizens tell the court that Dr. Alamgir is an honest man.

JUL 26, 2007: Dr. Alamgir sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Summary Tribunal for having a minor "discrepancy" in his wealth statement. In addition, the government is seizing his assets (to be auctioned off). Hundreds of lawyers condemn the court's judgment. The judge only utters the verdict and leaves the court within minutes.

AUG 1, 2007: In an open letter, Human Rights Watch condemns Bangladesh government for "almost complete disregard for established legal norms."

NOV 28, 2007: As Dr. Alamgir prepares to appeal his verdict in the High Court, the government files another fake case against him so that he can be kept detained on another count in case the High Court orders his release.

DEC 16, 2007: An essay published in New Age mentions "trumped up charges" against Dr. Alamgir as a "blatant disregard" for the law.

DEC 24, 2007: Continuing its pattern of persecuting entire families, the gov't files charges against Dr. Alamgir's wife, Sitara Alamgir.

JAN 1, 2008: Bangladesh's caretaker government files a third fake case against Dr. Alamgir, with no proof except the forced testimony of a businessman who claims extortion.

JAN 2, 2008: The Daily Inqilab reports a deterioration in the health of Dr. Alamgir, now in the prison cell of BMU Hospital.

JAN 8, 2008: Amnesty International chief voices concern that due legal process is not being followed for those arrested in Bangladesh.

FEB 25, 2008: Dr. Alamgir's food and water supply restricted indefinitely as punishment for trying to contact his family using a cell-phone.

MAR 26, 2008: The caretaker government of Bangladesh cancels Dr. Alamgir's jail division, further restricting his supply of food and clean water.

APR 1, 2008: Dr. Alamgir faints and suffers head injury in jail and is transferred to a hospital in Dhaka.

APR 29, 2008: The Anti-Corruption Commission files another fabricated case against Dr. Alamgir.

JUN 12, 2008: The Bangladesh government brings charges against Dr. Alamgir's sons for not submitting their wealth statement to a military-led government that has suspended all fundamental political, civil, and legal rights in the country. The government never duly sent a notice to them asking for such a statement.

JUL 15, 2008: The government-controlled lower court denies Dr. Alamgir bail.

AUG 22, 2008: The military-led caretaker government comes after Dr. Alamgir's family, charging all of them with "corruption".

AUG 25, 2008: Gov't-influenced lower court rejects bail petition of Dr. Alamgir in 4th case.

AUG 26, 2008: Based on its fake charges, the military-led government issues arrest warrants against Dr. Alamgir's family, deepening its persecution.

AUG 28, 2008: The High Court orders bail for Dr. Alamgir in three cases, but he cannot be freed because the gov't has just filed another case to keep him in prison.

SEP 8, 2008: The Supreme Court stays High Court's bail order for a month, continuing to support the military government's line.

OCT 6, 2008: The Supreme Court upholds Dr. Alamgir's earlier bail order from the High Court. His release is still pending on securing bail on the new case the gov't filed.

OCT 17, 2008: The military-led government issues further arrest warrants against Dr. Alamgir's sons for not submitting their wealth statement.

OCT 20, 2008: The Supreme court upholds Dr. Alamgir's bail on the new case, and stays its proceedings.

OCT 21, 2008: Dr. Alamgir walks free, on bail, after 20 months in prison. Hundreds gather at the gate to receive Dr. Alamgir.