Photo: Collected
Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, a fervent advocate for press freedom and renowned for his fearless journalism, returned to Bangladesh from the US on Thursday after nearly a decade in exile.
He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 5:40 p.m. on an Emirates Airlines flight.
A large crowd, including many of his journalist colleagues, gathered at the airport to welcome him. Mushfiq,renowned for his outspoken criticism of Sheikh Hasina'sousted authoritarian regime, is scheduled to return to the USA on September 22.
A leader from the pro-BNP faction of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists announced that a reception will be held in his honour at the Jatiya Press Club at 3pm on Friday to celebrate his return.
Currently based in Washington, D.C.,Ansarey continues his work as the White House and United Nations correspondent for JustNewsBD.
He also serves as the Executive Director of the human rights organisation Right to Freedom and the Executive Editor of South Asia Perspectives, a foreign policy magazine. Through his work, Ansarey has consistently highlighted alleged human rights abuses, election fraud, and authoritarian governance in Bangladesh.
Mushfiq’s critical journalism led to his exile in January 2013. Previously, he served as Assistant Press Secretary to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia from 2001 to 2006 and held notable positions with various media outlets in Bangladesh, including The Daily Ittefaq and UNB.
He also served as Chief Editor at JustNewsBD and anchored a programme on State Television, BTV, as well as hosted the popular TV show “Hello Excellency” on NTV, featuring numerous ambassadors and foreign dignitaries.
Messenger/UNB/ Sourov
