Editor for gay magazine, friend, murdered in cold blood

April 25, 2016 8:43 PM

Dhaka Tribune reports that Xulhaz Mannan, 35, who had been the founder and editor of the magazine, was reportedly killed today, Monday, April 25, 2016.

Xulhaz Mannan

News reports have revealed that a senior editor at Bangladeshs first LGBT magazine,

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Dhaka Tribune reports that Xulhaz Mannan, 35, who had been the founder and editor of the magazine, was reportedly killed today, Monday, April 25, 2016.

The reports reveal that armed militants who had been disguised as courier service workers had entered into Mannan's flat, murdering him and a friend of his, Tanay Mojumdar.

A security guard at the residence reveals to Dhaka Tribune that five to six youths had gotten into the house claiming that they had parcels for Mannan.

He adds that half an hour later, he had heard shouting and shooting coming from the flat, causing him to rush to the scene.

The guard who is currently undergoing treatments for his injuries at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital reveals, saying:

"The assailants then attacked me with knives."

Mannan, who also worked at the US development agency, USAID, had reportedly been behind an annual Rainbow Rally, receiving a Superior Honor Award in 2014 from ambassador, Dan Mozena for his contribution to the US mission in Dhaka.

Marcia Bernicat, the US ambassador to Bangladesh, while speaking with the Guardian, condemned the killing, saying:

"I am devastated by the brutal murder of Xulhaz Mannan and another young Bangladeshi. We abhor this senseless act of violence and urge the government of Bangladesh in the strongest terms to apprehend the criminals behind these murders."

Mannan's murder comes two days after a university lecturer had been hacked to death by suspected Islamist militants.

May their souls rest in peace.