Court turns down police appeal to remand journalist Rozina Islam

Prothom Alo’s senior reporter Rozina Islam has been brought to court on accusations of trying to “steal” government documents and taking photographs of them on her mobile phone.

A Dhaka court has turned down an appeal from the police to interrogate Prothom Alo’s senior reporter Rozina Islam in their custody.

Rozina was brought to court on accusations of trying to “steal” government documents and taking photographs of them on her mobile phone.

The court will hear Rozina’s appeal for bail on Thursday. That means she will be detained in jail until the next court appearance.

Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Jashim issued an order after a partial hearing of the case on Tuesday, according to bdnews24.com.

Shahbagh Police Inspector Arifur Rahman Sardar had petitioned the court for a five-day remand to question the journalist in police custody.

Rozina was detained at the Secretariat office of Md Saiful Islam Bhuiyan, an aide to Health Services Secretary Lokman Hossain Miah, for five hours on Monday.

She was then taken to Shahbagh Police Station around 8:30 pm. Deputy Secretary of Health Services Shibbir Ahmed then filed a case against her under the Official Secrets Act.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Bangladeshi authorities to immediately release journalist Rozina Islam, withdraw the investigation into her, and to stop arresting journalists under the Official Secrets Act.

“We are deeply alarmed that Bangladesh officials detained a journalist and filed a complaint under a draconian colonial-era law that carries ridiculously harsh penalties,” said Aliya Iftikhar, CPJ’s senior Asia researcher.

“Bangladesh police and authorities should recognise that Rozina Islam is a journalist whose work is a public service and should immediately drop the case against her and allow her to go free.”