Why Is the Bangladesh Government Remanding Journalists Like Rupa and Ahmed Over the August 2024 Protests Now?

Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed, two eminent journalists of Ekattor Television have been placed under a five day remand in connection with the murder case of Anowar Hossain Patwary who was killed during the August 2024 student protests. The couple was arrested last August while trying to escape the country after the protests.

The duo are accused of inciting the protests and aiding the violence. Public Prosecutor Omar Faruq Faruqi argued that the arrest of these two journalists is highly vital for investigating their involvement in the killing. Rupa however fiercely contested these allegations calling it harassment and seeking justice. She questioned why journalists would be charged in good faith for their professional activities in a murder case.

It brings into question freedom of the press and increased government control of the media in Bangladesh. This remand could prove a harbinger of a series of worrying steps the government will take against journalists. 

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