A prominent Bangladeshi senior woman investigative journalist was released from jail on Sunday after a court granted interim bail to her, a week after she was arrested on charges of violating a colonial-era official secrecy law that triggered widespread protests, including by the UN.

Rozina Islam, a senior reporter of Bangla daily Prothom Alo, the largest daily newspaper based on circulation, was detained on Monday last for over five hours by Health Ministry officials for allegedly clicking a picture of a document with her cell phone without permission. She was later arrested by the police.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/journalists-slam-pending-bangladesh-digital-security-law-168370">Journalists slam pending Bangladesh digital security law</a>

She was released from the Kashimpur Women's Central Jail on Sunday evening, a prison official told Dhaka Tribune. 
Earlier in the day, the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Baki Billah granted her bail till July 15 on a bond of Tk 5,000 (approximately USD 59). She was also granted bail on the condition of submitting her passport.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-consider-amending-law-seen-curbing-free-speech-168600">Bangladesh to consider amending law seen curbing free speech</a>

While pronouncing the bail order, the magistrate said, "It is the duty of journalists to protect the image of society and state. I hope that from now on, we will all act responsibly."

The health ministry filed a case against Islam under the draconian 1923 Official Secrets Act that carries harsh penalties, including a possible death penalty, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

Reacting to reports of Islam's arrest, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Tuesday said it is obviously "something concerning".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-president-hamid-gives-assent-to-digital-law-seen-curbing-free-speech-170205">Bangladesh president Hamid gives assent to digital law seen curbing free speech</a>

"Journalists need to be able to do their work free of any sort of harassment or physical threat anywhere around the world. And, obviously, that includes Bangladesh and every other country. I think we have seen the very important work that journalists all around the world have done during the pandemic, and they need to be able to continue that work, wherever they may work," Dujarric said at a regular media briefing at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Rozina, who earned the reputation of being an investigative journalist, has in recent months published several reports exposing the health ministry's alleged malpractices during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing public attention.

She also published several reports involving the health sector which included alleged graft in procurement at the health ministry, corruption in doctors' recruitment and how urgent medical equipment for coronavirus treatment was left at Dhaka airport for months.

Several legal experts and senior lawyers said they could not recall any instance when the 1923 Official Secrets Act was used against any journalist.

Journalists' unions and different media platforms staged demonstrations in Dhaka and other districts, demanding Islam's release and punitive actions against the officials who "harassed" her.

A prominent Bangladeshi senior woman investigative journalist was released from jail on Sunday after a court granted interim bail to her, a week after she was arrested on charges of violating a colonial-era official secrecy law that triggered widespread protests, including by the UN.

A prominent Bangladeshi senior woman investigative journalist was released from jail on Sunday after a court granted interim bail to her, a week after she was arrested on charges of violating a colonial-era official secrecy law that triggered widespread protests, including by the UN. Rozina Islam, a senior reporter of Bangla daily Prothom Alo, the largest daily newspaper based on circulation, was detained on Monday last for over five hours by Health Ministry officials for allegedly clicking a picture of a document with her cell phone without permission. She was later arrested by the police. Also read | Journalists slam pending Bangladesh digital security law She was released from the Kashimpur Women's Central Jail on Sunday evening, a prison official told Dhaka Tribune. Earlier in the day, the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Baki Billah granted her bail till July 15 on a bond of Tk 5,000 (approximately USD 59). She was also granted bail on the condition of submitting her passport. Also read | Bangladesh to consider amending law seen curbing free speech While pronouncing the bail order, the magistrate said, "It is the duty of journalists to protect the image of society and state. I hope that from now on, we will all act responsibly." The health ministry filed a case against Islam under the draconian 1923 Official Secrets Act that carries harsh penalties, including a possible death penalty, the Daily Star newspaper reported. Reacting to reports of Islam's arrest, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Tuesday said it is obviously "something concerning". Also read | Bangladesh president Hamid gives assent to digital law seen curbing free speech "Journalists need to be able to do their work free of any sort of harassment or physical threat anywhere around the world. And, obviously, that includes Bangladesh and every other country. I think we have seen the very important work that journalists all around the world have done during the pandemic, and they need to be able to continue that work, wherever they may work," Dujarric said at a regular media briefing at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Rozina, who earned the reputation of being an investigative journalist, has in recent months published several reports exposing the health ministry's alleged malpractices during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing public attention. She also published several reports involving the health sector which included alleged graft in procurement at the health ministry, corruption in doctors' recruitment and how urgent medical equipment for coronavirus treatment was left at Dhaka airport for months. Several legal experts and senior lawyers said they could not recall any instance when the 1923 Official Secrets Act was used against any journalist. Journalists' unions and different media platforms staged demonstrations in Dhaka and other districts, demanding Islam's release and punitive actions against the officials who "harassed" her.

Bangladeshi woman journalist arrested under colonial-era official secrecy law released from jail

Fresh from jail for dissent, and celebrated by Time magazine for fearless journalism, Shahidul Alam is not hiding as his native Bangladesh approaches an election he fears could be rigged.

More than 100 million voters are registered for the December 30 poll in the South Asia nation -- one of the world's largest democratic exercises.

But Alam, an award-winning photojournalist and activist, says a climate of fear gripping Bangladesh could keep many away from the ballot box and encourage self-censorship by the country's browbeaten free press.

"I hope for a free and fair election," he told AFP in an interview in Dhaka.

"But I am pretty certain that is not how it is going to be, based on how things are shaping up."

The opposition says its candidates have been disqualified and supporters jailed in a pre-election crackdown, and political rallies turned violent almost as soon as campaigning began.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is seeking a third-straight term, has been accused of intolerance to dissent and creeping authoritarianism in her nearly decade in power.

Alam, who this week was named one of Time magazine's "Persons of the Year" alongside other free-press champions, is no stranger to falling foul of her rule.

In August, in a television interview, Alam criticised the government's handling of major student rallies that were gripping Bangladesh.

He was arrested in a midnight raid on his home and charged with making "false" and "provocative" statements -- offences carrying a maximum 14 years in jail.

Hasina publicly derided the internationally renowned photographer as "mentally sick".

"I hope this sickness is something that is contagious, that many other people become sick like me and come out and speak the truth," Alam said.

His detention sparked global outrage and became a closely watched freedom of speech case.

Alam, 63, says he was beaten in custody so badly his tunic needed washing before he appeared in court.

There, in a defiant show of force, he raised his fist for the waiting cameras.

"I was hit. I was blindfolded. I was handcuffed. I was threatened with waterboarding", he told AFP of his stretch behind bars.

Police have denied assaulting Alam in custody.

'Let people speak'

After 108 days, he was released from prison in late November on bail.

But despite his torment, and facing serious jail time, Alam has refused to bow down as the election looms, warning Bangladesh is at a "critical juncture".

Hasina was elected unchallenged in 2014 after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the vote, alleging it was rigged.

This time around the BNP, the main opposition party, is contesting the poll but without its leader Khaleda Zia, Hasina's chief rival and twice Bangladesh's prime minister.

Zia is behind bars on corruption charges her supporters say were politically motivated to keep her out of the race.

The opposition is yet is yet to nominate a challenger to Hasina, with other key figures in exile or also languishing in prison.

"The opposition is being arrested in hordes," Alam said.

"That does not bode well. It does not indicate the genuine intention of holding a free and fair election."

To compound matters, Bangladesh media was unwilling to "talk about things that are really happening" in the nation of 160 million along the Bay of Bengal, fearing retaliation.

Rights groups have accused Hasina of stifling dissent by wielding draconian laws to curb free speech, and using police and the courts to cow opponents

Alam said it was vital Bangladesh, and its democratic champions did not lose sight of what was at stake and kept up the fight in the coming weeks.

"We live in a free country, supposedly. Why not let people speak their will?" he said.

"It is time for me and everyone else to ensure a free, fair and participatory election takes place. And all of us should do everything in our power to ensure that happens."

Fresh from jail for dissent, and celebrated by Time magazine for fearless journalism, Shahidul Alam is not hiding as his native Bangladesh approaches an election he fears could be rigged.

Fresh from jail for dissent, and celebrated by Time magazine for fearless journalism, Shahidul Alam is not hiding as his native Bangladesh approaches an election he fears could be rigged. More than 100 million voters are registered for the December 30 poll in the South Asia nation -- one of the world's largest democratic exercises. But Alam, an award-winning photojournalist and activist, says a climate of fear gripping Bangladesh could keep many away from the ballot box and encourage self-censorship by the country's browbeaten free press. "I hope for a free and fair election," he told AFP in an interview in Dhaka. "But I am pretty certain that is not how it is going to be, based on how things are shaping up." The opposition says its candidates have been disqualified and supporters jailed in a pre-election crackdown, and political rallies turned violent almost as soon as campaigning began. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is seeking a third-straight term, has been accused of intolerance to dissent and creeping authoritarianism in her nearly decade in power. Alam, who this week was named one of Time magazine's "Persons of the Year" alongside other free-press champions, is no stranger to falling foul of her rule. In August, in a television interview, Alam criticised the government's handling of major student rallies that were gripping Bangladesh. He was arrested in a midnight raid on his home and charged with making "false" and "provocative" statements -- offences carrying a maximum 14 years in jail. Hasina publicly derided the internationally renowned photographer as "mentally sick". "I hope this sickness is something that is contagious, that many other people become sick like me and come out and speak the truth," Alam said. His detention sparked global outrage and became a closely watched freedom of speech case. Alam, 63, says he was beaten in custody so badly his tunic needed washing before he appeared in court. There, in a defiant show of force, he raised his fist for the waiting cameras. "I was hit. I was blindfolded. I was handcuffed. I was threatened with waterboarding", he told AFP of his stretch behind bars. Police have denied assaulting Alam in custody. 'Let people speak' After 108 days, he was released from prison in late November on bail. But despite his torment, and facing serious jail time, Alam has refused to bow down as the election looms, warning Bangladesh is at a "critical juncture". Hasina was elected unchallenged in 2014 after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the vote, alleging it was rigged. This time around the BNP, the main opposition party, is contesting the poll but without its leader Khaleda Zia, Hasina's chief rival and twice Bangladesh's prime minister. Zia is behind bars on corruption charges her supporters say were politically motivated to keep her out of the race. The opposition is yet is yet to nominate a challenger to Hasina, with other key figures in exile or also languishing in prison. "The opposition is being arrested in hordes," Alam said. "That does not bode well. It does not indicate the genuine intention of holding a free and fair election." To compound matters, Bangladesh media was unwilling to "talk about things that are really happening" in the nation of 160 million along the Bay of Bengal, fearing retaliation. Rights groups have accused Hasina of stifling dissent by wielding draconian laws to curb free speech, and using police and the courts to cow opponents Alam said it was vital Bangladesh, and its democratic champions did not lose sight of what was at stake and kept up the fight in the coming weeks. "We live in a free country, supposedly. Why not let people speak their will?" he said. "It is time for me and everyone else to ensure a free, fair and participatory election takes place. And all of us should do everything in our power to ensure that happens."

Top dissident warns Bangladesh at 'critical juncture'

bangladeshi-journalist

Bangladeshi Journalist, News on Bangladeshi Journalist, stories on Bangladeshi Journalist, articles on Bangladeshi Journalist, Bangladeshi Journalist stories at Wion, Bangladeshi Journalist news, Bangladeshi Journalist latest news

bangladeshi journalist

Bangladeshi woman journalist arrested under colonial-era official secrecy law released from jail

Top dissident warns Bangladesh at 'critical juncture'