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16 Arrested in Dhaka for ‘Conspiracy’ After Journalists’ Meeting
Bangladesh police arrest 16, including ex-minister & academics, after a journalists’ meeting in Dhaka. Critics call it an attack on free speech amid political turmoil.
ND
by News Desk
2025-08-29
16 Arrested in Dhaka for ‘Conspiracy’ After Journalists’ Meeting

DHAKA: Bangladesh’s political crisis deepened as 16 people, including a former minister, a law professor, and journalists, were arrested in Dhaka after attending a meeting that accused political parties of conspiring against the constitution.

The arrests come amid widespread unrest following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic government in 2024, with major parties competing for power ahead of the upcoming February elections.

The Incident at Dhaka Reporters Unity

On Thursday, the group attended a meeting at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), a journalists’ association. Witnesses said that shortly after the speeches, a mob stormed the venue, heckled participants, and later handed them over to police.

According to police, the 16 detainees were arrested under the anti-terrorism act.

“They were arrested under the anti-terrorism act,” said Khalid Mansur, officer-in-charge of Dhaka’s central police station.

Among those arrested was Abdul Latif Siddiqui, a former minister under Hasina, and Hafizur Rahman Karzon, a respected law professor at the University of Dhaka.

Court Appearance

On Friday, the accused appeared in court under heavy security — handcuffed, wearing helmets and bulletproof vests.

Professor Karzon insisted, “We are victims, not offenders.” Meanwhile, veteran journalist Manjurul Alam raised his arms and declared, “These hands have written against corruption for years.”

Police told the court that the detainees had been “hatching conspiracies and inciting unrest to destabilise the country and topple the government.”

Concerns Over Free Speech

The detentions sparked strong criticism from press leaders. Abu Saleh Akan and Mainul Hasan Sohel, president and secretary of the DRU, condemned the arrests, stating:

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every citizen.”

The incident has heightened fears of an intensified crackdown on dissent as Bangladesh navigates a fragile transition and prepares for a contentious election.
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Bangladesh

PressFreedom

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