A broadcast journalist couple associated with Ekattor TV, Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa, remain in police custody after their arrest at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on August 21. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF), in condemning the journalists’ detention, urging authorities to ensure that all investigations into the couple are conducted transparently.

Journalists Shakil Ahmed (5L) and Farzana Rupa (3R) are pictured at a court being accused of “inciting violence” against the student-led protests, that led to the toppling of autocratic premier Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka on August 22, 2024. Credit: AFP

On August 21, Shakil Ahmed, former head of news at Bangladeshi broadcaster Ekattor TV, and Farzana Rupa, the broadcaster’s former chief correspondent, were questioned for two hours by police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka when attempting to board a flight to Istanbul with their daughter, before being taken into custody.

The couple appeared before Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ahmed Humayun Kabir on August 22, where they were sentenced to four days in police remand on charges of inciting violence against individuals involved in the Anti-Discrimination student protest that led to the toppling of autocratic premier Sheikh Hasina and the deaths of around 100 people, on August 5. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) filed a case against the journalists charging both with abetment and murder in the death of garment worker Fazul Karim, under sections 302, 114, and 109 of the Penal Code with the Uttara East Police Station.

Ahmed and Rupa, former employees of Ekattor TV, a channel previously recognised for its support of Sheikh Hasina, are among 39 individuals implicated in the murder of garment worker Karim on August 5. After the four-day remand, on August 26, the journalist couple was presented again to the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court and ordered a further five-day remand for their alleged role in another death of RMG worker Rubel.

The media in Bangladesh has faced increasing threats since the start of student protests in July, with five journalists killed amid increasing attacks against journalists, media workers, and news outlets. A UN spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, emphasised the importance of journalist safety, stating, “The safety and well-being of journalists anywhere in the world is of critical importance for any country, especially for countries going through a transition. It is important that journalists be allowed to do their work and that those who commit violence against journalists be held to account.”

The BMSF said: “BMSF has expressed concern over the arrests of journalist Shakil Ahmed, the former head of news at Ekattor Television, and Farzana Rupa, its former Chief correspondent. We urge authorities to uphold the reporters’ procedural rights, ensure their safety, and cease any investigations initiated as retaliation for their journalistic activities.”  

The IFJ said: “IFJ expresses deep concern over the arrests of journalists Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa. The media must be free to report without fear of retaliation, and a plurality of voices must be encouraged through the Interim Government’s time in power. Authorities must ensure a fair and transparent investigation into the allegations against them.”