A handcuffed Awami League leader attended his mother’s funeral prayers after being temporarily released from prison on parole in Chattogram’s Patiya.

Ayub Babul, vice-president of the now-banned Patiya Upazila Awami League and a former municipal mayor, joined the funeral prayers for his mother, Amjuman Ara Begum, on the Court Jame Mosque premises in Patiya municipal town at 9:00pm on Monday. She was later laid to rest at the family graveyard.

Authorities granted him a five-hour parole to attend the funeral and burial. After the rites were completed, he was taken back to prison.

Addressing mourners at the funeral, handcuffed Awami League leader Babul expressed gratitude to those in attendance and said he regretted not being able to care for his mother. He also urged supporters not to chant slogans, noting that he had arrived under official protocol.

Patiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ziaul Haque said Babul was escorted by police throughout the parole period in accordance with regulations and remained handcuffed.

He was later returned to prison.

Police said Babul faces at least six cases and has been in jail since 29 April 2025.