CPJ urges govt to release Rozina Islam immediately
Bangladesh
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Bangladesh government to release Prothom Alo journalist Rozina Islam immediately.
A statement issued by the CPJ on Monday called for an end to the police investigation against journalist Rozina Islam and arrest under the Official Secrets Act.
"We are worried about the detention and prosecution of a journalist under this strict colonial law in Bangladesh. Sadly, there is severe punishment provision under this law," said Aliya Iftikhar, a senior Asia Affairs researcher of CPJ.
"Bangladesh police and government need to understand that Rozina Islam is a journalist. Her work is public service. The case against Rozina should be withdrawn and government should release her immediately," she added.
Rozina Islam was detained for allegedly taking snapshots of an official document at the Secretariat without due permission.
The incident took place on Monday afternoon when Rozina went to the health ministry inside the Secretariat as part of professional duty around 3:30pm. At one stage, she was locked in a room there and her mobile phone was confiscated.
Hours after detention, the case has been filed against her under the Official Secrets Act.
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