The National Citizens Party (NCP) has condemned the arrest of actress Nusraat Faria, calling it a mockery of Bangladesh’s judicial process and a deliberate attempt to undermine the trial of the July massacre.

Faria was detained by immigration police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Sunday and sent to jail by a court in a murder attempt case filed at Bhatara police station.

The NCP’s scathing critique, issued Monday by Joint Member Secretary (Office) Saleh Uddin Sifat, accuses the state of prioritising “show-off” cases while letting major perpetrators of the July violence roam free.

In a strongly worded statement, the NCP highlighted glaring inconsistencies in the justice system. “Former President Abdul Hamid, accused of attacking and shooting during the July coup, left the country unhindered this month,” the party noted.

“Meanwhile, the identities of 626 individuals sheltered in cantonments post-coup remain undisclosed.” The NCP also pointed to “fallen fascists and their supporters” openly engaging in anti-citizen activities on social media and in public, unchecked by authorities.

“Arresting figures like Nusraat Faria in trumped-up cases, while ignoring those directly involved in the July massacre, trivialises the trial process,” the statement read.

The NCP alleges that elements within the state and administration are orchestrating these arrests to discredit the genocide trials. Despite the interim government’s pledge to establish the International Crimes Tribunal-2 to expedite justice, no formal notification has been issued, stalling progress.

“We’ve seen no visible movement on the July genocide trials,” the NCP stated, demanding “visible progress” by July 2026 and urging immediate action from the interim government.

The party also called on law enforcement to scrutinize cases carefully, warning against “case trading” and frivolous lawsuits that erode public trust.

“The trial of the July massacre is too serious to be undermined by such farcical actions,” concluded the NCP’s message, reflecting growing frustration over the government’s handling of high-profile cases.