Bangladeshi charged for voting ‘illegally’ in US

A Bangladeshi man has been charged with unlawful voting in the United States for allegedly casting a ballot in the November 2024 election despite knowing he was not a US citizen.

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced the charge against Mohammad Hachibur Rahman, 33, in a press release on Thursday, describing him as an “illegal alien”.

US Attorney for the District of Maryland Kelly O Hayes announced the charge alongside Jimmy Paul, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office.

According to the allegations, Hachibur voted in the November 2024 election, which included contests for president, vice president and seats in the US Senate and House of Representatives.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison. However, actual sentences for federal offences are typically lower than the maximum penalties.

A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The US Attorney’s Office clarified that the charge does not establish guilt and that Rahman is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a subsequent criminal proceeding.

Hayes commended the FBI for its investigative work and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Washington Field Office–Baltimore Resident Office for its assistance. She also thanked Assistant US Attorney Philip Motsay, who is prosecuting the case.