Attack on freedom of expression in Bangladesh? Journalist’s body found floating in lake; family alleges murder

In Bangladesh, the body of a TV journalist was recovered on Wednesday (August 28) from the Hatirjheel Lake in the nation's capital, Dhaka.

Sajeeb Wazad, the son of Bangladesh's former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, labelled the death "another brutal attack" on the freedom of expression in the nation.

Taking to X, Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazad wrote, "Rahmuna Sara Gazi TV newsroom editor was found dead. Her body was recovered from Hatirjheel Lake in Dhaka city. This is another brutal attack on freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Gazi TV is a secular news channel owned by Golam Dastagir Gazi who was arrested recently."

Details about the journalist

The journalist, as per the Dhaka Tribune, has been identified as Sarah Rahnuma, a 32-year-old working as a newsroom editor at Gazi TV media house.

Her body was found floating in the Hatirjheel Lake.

As per the report, her body was spotted by a man, who then brought her to the hospital.

"I saw the woman floating in Hatirjheel Lake. Later, she was brought to DMCH, where doctors declared her dead," said the man.

Rahnuma's cryptic posts before death

Rahnuma, in a cryptic post on Facebook — posted on Tuesday night — had tagged a person by the name of Fahim Faysal and said: "It was nice having a friend like you. God bless you always. Hope you'll fulfill all your dreams soon."

"I know we had a lots of planning together. Sorry, can't fulfill our plannings. May god bless you in every aspects of your life," she wrote.

In another cryptic post shared earlier, she said: "It is better to die than to live a life akin to death."While the cause of death is yet to be released to the press, her family, as per Somoy News, claims that she has been murdered.

(With inputs from agencies)