By Sarina Trangle
A leader of the U.S. chapter of the Bangladeshi ruling political party died from a fatal beating on an Ozone Park street corner last week, the NYPD and a Queens’ leader said.
Jamaica Estates resident Dil Afroz Nargis Ahmed, who was once president of the Elmhurst−based Bangladesh Society, said the victim, Nazmul Islam, served as vice president of the American chapter of the Awami League.
She said Islam, 55, had recently traveled to Bangladesh to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasima.
“He was a community leader from the political side… everyone knew him,” Ahmed said. “He was a very nice person, very friendly.”
Police arrested two men Wednesday in the death of Islam, a Richmond Hill resident, who police believe was targeted because of a verbal spat over car keys in a nearby club, the NYPD said.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said Carlos Genno, 22, and Nestor Rodriguez, 20, were arraigned on second-degree murder and robbery charges in the death of Islam, who was pummeled and choked to death early July 9 on the sidewalk near 76nd Street and Atlantic Avenue.
After Islam lost consciousness, the two allegedly rifled through his pockets and left with an unknown amount of cash, according to the NYPD.
Police had been called to the Ozone Park street corner at 4:34 a.m., where the NYPD said Islam was found unconscious and unresponsive.
Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The NYPD said it later learned Genno, of Ozone Park, and Rodriguez, of Woodhaven, had gotten into a verbal argument with Islam earlier July 9, while all three were at Flirt, an Ozone Park venue that bills itself as a gentleman’s club on Twitter.
Officers said Islam could not find his keys and questioned Genno and Rodriguez about the keys’ whereabouts, sparking an argument.
Cops believe the pair become agitated and then allegedly physically assaulted Islam about a block away from Flirt.
Both men were charged with second-degree murder and robbery, the DA said.
Brown said Genno was also charged with rape, endangering the welfare of a child, assault and harrassment in unrelated incidents.
Rodriguez faces disorderly conduct and criminal possession of a controlled substance charges stemming from other alleged crimes, according to the DA.
Both were ordered held without bail pending their scheduled July 29 court date, Brown said.
They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of murder.
