A formal legal complaint has been submitted to the Attorney General of Switzerland by a group of international legal professionals, calling for an immediate investigation into the activities of Omi Rahman Pial, a Bangladeshi asylum seeker residing in Switzerland. Pial, a prominent online activist linked to the Awami League—a regime overthrown during a deadly student-led uprising in July 2024—is accused of inciting terrorism, promoting targeted killings, and distributing manipulated child pornography to intimidate political opponents.
Pial has drawn widespread condemnation for using social media platforms to propagate extremist rhetoric, including explicit calls for the assassination of political dissidents. In a widely circulated online statement, Pial declared, “The extension of our slogan should be murdering the dissidents,” adding, “By hunting them down, in every village, every neighborhood, murdering them should be the mission.” Such inflammatory language is viewed as an incitement to politically motivated mob violence, reminiscent of the July 2024 uprising, which resulted in over 2,000 deaths and thousands of injuries.
The complaint underscores that Pial’s statements have already been connected to fatal attacks, including the murders of three student leaders in Bangladesh, allegedly influenced by his online propaganda. Under international counterterrorism laws, such as the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), incitement to violence and terrorism is a prosecutable offense. Legal experts argue that Pial’s actions also violate Swiss laws against terrorist propaganda and incitement to violence, necessitating swift legal action.
In addition to promoting violence, Pial is accused of creating and distributing manipulated child pornography, a severe breach of international child protection laws. Most disturbingly, he allegedly edited and published explicit nude images of the minor daughter of the Press Secretary of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, formed after the ousting of the former Prime Minister. This act is believed to have been intended to intimidate political opponents and inflict psychological harm. The distribution of such materials, whether altered or authentic, constitutes a serious criminal offense under Swiss law, violating protections against child exploitation and digital abuse. Pial’s actions also contravene global laws aimed at safeguarding children from cyber harassment and sexualized defamation, making this a pressing international legal issue.
The complaint calls on Swiss authorities to:
- Launch an immediate investigation into Pial’s activities, including his alleged involvement in inciting terrorism, promoting targeted killings, and distributing explicit child exploitation materials.
- Implement both Swiss and international legal measures to hold him accountable for his actions and prevent further incitement to violence.
- Review his asylum status, as his conduct violates the principles of asylum protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention, which prohibits asylum seekers from engaging in criminal activities or actions that threaten international peace and security.
The case has drawn significant attention from legal and human rights organizations, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice in addressing transnational threats posed by individuals exploiting digital platforms to incite violence and harm.
