Bangladesh arrests journalists, writer linked to ousted PM's regime
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The three individuals are all facing alleged murder charges that were brought by relatives of demonstrators killed during the violent protests.
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Students and other activists carry Bangladesh's national flag during a protest march organized by Students Against Discrimination to mark one month since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down after a mass uprising, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on September 5, 2024. (AP)
Bangladesh detained two journalists and a writer on Tuesday, who were accused of being involved in violence during the recent nationwide student-led demonstrations that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina last month, police reported.
These accusations add to the growing list of charges brought against hundreds of former supporters of Hasina's collapsed regime and her Awami League party, which consists of former ministers and lawmakers accused of murder.
At least 25 journalists were arrested last month for their links to alleged violence toward demonstrators, a move Reporters Without Borders called "systematic judicial harassment."
Journalists, writer face murder charges
The three individuals are all facing alleged murder charges that were brought by relatives of demonstrators killed during the violent protests.
Editor of the Bhorer Kagoj daily, Shyamal Dutta, remained in custody for a week for murder charges filed in the Bhashantek police station in Dhaka, station chief Foysal Ahmed said.
Mozammel Babu, editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV, was placed in custody at Ramna police station in Dhaka, officer-in-charge Golam Faruk told AFP.
Both news outlets were perceived as having been supportive of the former leader.
The writer, Shariar Kabir, was arrested and remanded in the same station as Babu, Faruk said. He was the leading advocate calling for Hasina's political opposition leaders to face trial, which was viewed as a way to eliminate her opponents.
Bangladesh seeks extradition of ousted PM from India for 'massacres'
Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) is seeking the extradition of Hasina from India, the court's chief prosecutor stated, accusing her of committing "massacres."
"As the main perpetrator has fled the country, we will start the legal procedure to bring her back," ICT chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam told reporters on September 8.
Bangladesh has an extradition agreement with India that was signed in 2013, permitting the return of the former leader to face criminal trial.
"As she has been made the main accused of the massacres in Bangladesh, we will try to legally bring her back to Bangladesh to face trial," Islam asserted.
Despite Dhaka revoking Hasina's diplomatic passport, the treaty includes a clause refusing extradition if the offense is committed by a "political character."
