The United States has expressed utter astonishment at the murder of independent writer Oyasiqur Rahman.

“We are horrified and deeply distressed by the murder of Oyasiqur Rahman Babu, and we offer our condolences to his family and friends,” the US Embassy in Dhaka said in a post on its Facebook page yesterday.

The statement also mentioned that the United States firmly supports freedom of expression for everyone. "This is a universal human right, both in Bangladesh and throughout the world.”   

Referring to the murder of the online activist, the statement said “We stand in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh as they confront religious intolerance and violence.”