Brendan Kantilla, 29, faced Darwin Local Court charged with murder of Md ‘Sifat’ Isfaqur Rahman

The man charged with murdering international student ‘Sifat’ has had faced Darwin court for the first time. Read what happened.

Brendan Kantilla, 29, is the man charged with murder over the death of a 23-year-old international student after breaking into his home on Trower Rd, Millner. Picture: Bethany Griffiths

The man accused of murdering an international student during a home invasion in Millner last week has had his charges heard in court for the first time.

Brendan Kantilla, 29, faced Darwin Local Court Monday morning charged with murder, aggravated burglary and theft.

He was not granted bail and the case was adjourned to July 12.

Police allege Kantilla broke into the Trower Rd sharehouse in the early hours of Wednesday morning and assaulted Bangladeshi student Md Isfaqur Rahman.

The 23-year-old, also known as Sifat, was discovered on his bed with critical head trauma by his housemates after they heard the sound of someone in their yard.

Mr Rahman was rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital where he died on Thursday.

Kantilla was arrested shortly after police were called to the scene about 4.25am.

The Bangladeshi Student Association of Charles Darwin University CDU held a vigil for Md Isfaqur Rahaman (Sifat) on Friday night. Picture: Facebook/Bangladeshi Student Association

Outcry from the Top End’s Bangladeshi and international student community has been strong.

The Bangladesh Association of the NT Inc.’s has released a seven-point plan to make the Territory safer for travellers.

Almost 1500 people have signed the association’s petition calling for the government and local leaders to work with the police and justice system to bring down crime.

The plan includes safer accommodation and public transport, calling for more transit officers on the road.

Increasing surveillance, police presence and patrols in residential and public areas is another key request.

The group has called for more support for victims of crime, including counselling and financial assistance, and better education in the community about the impact of crime and the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour.

They have also cited a need for increased resources and funding for community-based programs that address the root causes of crime, including poverty, substance abuse, and mental health.

Md Isfaqur Rahman’s death has shaken the Bangladeshi and international student community in Darwin. Picture: Supplied

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles sent a letter to the association’s president, Abdus Sattar, after Mr Rahman’s death, extending condolences and saying “this is not the Territory we want to share with the world”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the young international student, his family, his housemates, his friends and the Bangladeshi community, here in Darwin and back home,” she said.

Mr Sattar thanked Ms Fyles and called for swift measures to be taken.

“Please take immediate action to remove violence from the Territory and make it a better place which we call home,” he said on social media.

Mr Rahman arrived in the NT from Bangladesh just three months ago to study a Masters in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Charles Darwin University.

Originally published as Brendan Kantilla, 29, faced Darwin Local Court charged with murder of Md ‘Sifat’ Isfaqur Rahman