A court in Bangladesh’s capital has granted police permission to interrogate two journalists in connection with the murder of a garment worker who participated in recent student protests. The journalists, who were arrested at the airport while attempting to travel overseas, were former employees of a pro-government TV channel.
The court approved a four-day police remand for questioning the journalists, who were initially not named in the murder case but later arrested as two of the unnamed accused. Police allege that the couple instigated the former government to use force against protesters.
The arrest of the journalists comes amidst a period of political upheaval in Bangladesh, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been implementing significant changes across various sectors and has dismissed numerous elected officials.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the arrest of the journalists, emphasizing the importance of upholding due process and avoiding reprisals in the aftermath of the political transition. The recent violence in Bangladesh, which led to hundreds of deaths, has prompted international scrutiny and calls for accountability.
As the country grapples with the aftermath of the mass uprising and political changes, a team from the United Nations is set to visit Bangladesh to discuss human rights issues and investigate alleged violations during the period of unrest. The safety and well-being of journalists have also been highlighted as a critical concern, with calls for holding perpetrators of violence against journalists accountable.
