A Dhaka court on Monday granted a five-day remand for senior journalist Anis Alamgir in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act at Uttara West Police Station.
Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order after police produced the accused before the court and sought a seven-day remand.
During the hearing, state prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruki said Anis Alamgir had made various statements in the media and on Facebook, mentioning possible attacks on the July Memorial Museum and the residence of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
The prosecutor also alleged that the accused made provocative statements in favour of the banned Chhatra League and engaged in activities supporting the banned Awami League as part of a conspiracy to undermine state security and overthrow the government. He claimed that despite repeated warnings, Anis Alamgir continued such activities.
Opposing the remand plea, defence lawyer Naznin Nahar Dipu and others said Anis Alamgir is a journalist who reported live from the Iraq war and has never compromised with power. She argued that far harsher comments are routinely made on television talk shows and that expressing opinions cannot be treated as a criminal offence.
“He has no ulterior motive. He wants the country to be governed in the spirit of the July uprising,” she said, adding that remand was unnecessary as nothing was to be recovered from the accused. The defence also sought bail, arguing that comments made in cyberspace, if actionable at all, fall under cyber laws, not the Anti-Terrorism Act.
With the court’s permission, Anis Alamgir said, “I question power and have been doing so for two decades. I will continue to do so under any government.” He alleged attempts were being made to silence him.
Referring to his talk show remarks, he said his comments must be viewed in proper context. He also claimed that individuals living abroad were attempting to destabilise the country and disrupt the election process, reiterating his support for holding the February election.
LND/SAE
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