The Chhatra League’s local leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act (DSA) against Noor on July 14 accusing him of spreading rumours and defaming Islam on Facebook and other digital platforms through defending a Buddhist monk and 10 Minute School, a pro-LGBT educational platform. The Chhatra League is the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League who are currently in power in Bangladesh.

On July 13, police began searching for Noor who has consistently been in hiding for the last six years. In December 2017, Noor was accused of hurting religious sentiments only to be released on bail in August 2018. After pressure from radical Muslim groups, Noor was re-arrested and only released in January 2019.  

The current charges against Noor are in response to his recent videos on Facebookdenying allegations against Shankaranondo, a Buddhist monk, who is accused of the illegal seizure of a Buddhist temple located in the southeastern city of Chittagong. In response to the allegations, Noor mentioned on a Facebook post on July 16 he is being targeted for advocating for the Buddhist community in Bangladesh.

With encouragement from the local government, Islamic groups in Bangladesh protested the Facebook post on the streets of Chittagong on July 17. On July 18, police reportedly harassed Noor’s family at their home in Amtoly, a town in the southern district of Barguna.

The BMSF said: “We strongly condemn the misuse of Digital Security Act (DSA). We call on Bangladesh government to scrap the DSA.”

The IFJ said: “The police search for Noor and harassment of his family shows the degree of the authority's colossal misuse of the Digital Security Act in Bangladesh. The IFJ calls on the government to immediately withdraw the charges against Asad Noor and ensure his safety.”