Unidentified miscreants hacked dead writer Avijit Roy and stabbed his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonya near TSC intersection in Dhaka University campus this evening.
Roy, 42, one of the founder moderators of a popular blog Mukto-Mona, succumbed to his injuries after he was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
The Daily Star
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is sickened and appalled to hear that secular blogger Avijit Roy has been murdered in Bangladesh a few hours ago.
“This loss is keenly felt by freethinkers and humanists in South Asia and around the world. He was a colleague in humanism and a friend to all who respect human rights, freedom, and the light of reason. [...]
“We cannot know the assailants who carried out tonight’s vicious murder. But we do know this: Those who have openly made the most serious and credible threats on Roy’s life have been allowed to do so with impunity and now he is dead.
IHEU
"The attack on Roy and his wife Rafida Ahmed is outrageous. We strongly protests this attack and are deeply concerned about the safety of writers," Imran H. Sarker, head of an association for bloggers in Bangladesh, told AFP.
Pinaki Bhattacharya, a blogger and friend of Roy, claimed one of the country's largest online book retailers was being openly threatened for selling Roy's books.
"In Bangladesh the easiest target is an atheist. An atheist can be attacked and murdered," he wrote on Facebook.
MSN
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Roy, educated as an engineer, had lived in the US for several years and was an American citizen. He was in Bangladesh to promote a new book.
Some more
As well as Mukto-mona, he also wrote several books including his last works Obisshahser Dorshon (The Philosophy of Disbelief) and Biswasher Virus (The Virus of Faith), which provoked controversy but were critically well-received.
His father, Ajoy Roy, is a decorated physics professor turned human rights activist who wrote a book on LGBT rights in Bangladesh and is also a prolific secular activist in the country.
The Independent
The Guardian
Condemnation from the US Department of State.