Photo : Collected
The international press freedom organisation, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has raised serious concerns about the safety and fair treatment of Bangladeshi journalist Farzana Rupa following her arrest at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Rupa, along with her husband, Shakil Ahmed, was detained by authorities as they attempted to leave the country with their 17-year-old daughter, bound for France after securing visas.
Farzana Rupa is a well-known investigative journalist and special correspondent at Ekattor TV, a privately-owned news channel in Bangladesh. She has also worked with foreign journalists, including reporters from France 24, although security concerns have limited her involvement in recent years. Ekattor TV has faced criticism, particularly from religious fundamentalist groups, adding to the risks Rupa and her family face in the current volatile political climate.
RSF expressed particular concern for Rupa's safety, urging the Bangladeshi authorities to release her promptly and allow her to travel. The organisation emphasised the importance of ensuring Rupa's right to a fair trial and her safety while in custody. They also called on the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, to uphold its international human rights commitments and protect journalists from persecution.
Rupa and her husband were reportedly prevented from boarding their flight by immigration police, despite having received prior clearance. They were subsequently handed over to the Detective Branch, where they were arrested and charged under several articles of the 1860 penal code, including charges that could result in life imprisonment or the death penalty. This morning, a Dhaka court denied their lawyers' request for bail and remanded them in custody for four days, said RSF.
The arrests come amid growing concerns over the safety of journalists in Bangladesh.
RSF has urged the Bangladeshi government to fulfill its responsibilities by ensuring the safety and fair treatment of all journalists. The organisation expressed its readiness to provide further assistance if needed.
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