CPJ seeks release of 3 banglamail24 journos

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said Bangladesh authorities should drop all the criminal proceedings against three journalists from news website banglamail24.com, release them immediately, and restore press credentials to nine of their colleagues.

The three journalists could face a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison if charged and convicted under a law governing online publication, the CPJ said in a media release received here from New York on Saturday.

“Jailing anyone for even a day under a law as broad, vaguely worded, and restrictive as Bangladesh's Information and Communication Technology Act is an injustice,” CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Steven Butler said from Washington.

The CPJ mentioned that arresting journalists for refuting a false rumor reaches the point of absurdity.

Bangladesh should release Shahadat Ullah Khan, Maksudul Haider Chowdhury and Pantho Polash without delay, it said.

Members of law enforcement agencies on Sunday night arrested banglamail24.com acting editor Shahadat Ullah Khan, executive editor Maksudul Haider Chowdhury and Pantho Polash after the website published a report relating to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son and her ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the CPJ said. 

"We don't want to witness another heinous and hatred bloodshed like 15 August, 1975 in the country, every person of the country will have a secured life and it is our desire," she said.

Recalling the heinous attack on 15 August in 1975, the Prime Minister said the advancement of the country was stopped by killing Bangabandhu.

"The victory which was attained by the people of this country responding to the call of Bangabandhu was destroyed by killing him,” she said.