Anis Alamgir expresses frustration over 'journalists' inaction’ after ACC arrest order
The journalist voiced dissatisfaction with the media's response as the court issued an arrest order in corruption cases.
Detained journalist Anis Alamgir has expressed frustration at the media community today (28 January) over what he described as their "inaction" after a Dhaka court ordered his arrest in a graft and money laundering case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Foyez issued the order following the ACC's petition.
Alamgir was produced in court from prison at around 9:30am and later held in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court lockup.
At 11am, he was brought to the courtroom under heavy police security, wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, which were removed once he entered.
While standing in the dock, Alamgir spoke for an extended period with his lawyers Najnin Nahar, Taslima Jahan Popy, and Niyaz Uddin.
He expressed his dissatisfaction to lawyer Niyaz Uddin, alleging that despite a journalist being in jail, there had been no reporting or protest, and criticising the media for not highlighting what he described as injustice.
The hearing for the case began at 12:30pm, after which the court issued the arrest order, sending him back to prison.
Earlier, Alamgir was arrested in a separate anti-terrorism case on 14 December last year after leaving a gym in Dhanmondi. He was interrogated at the Detective Branch office of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, placed on a five-day remand on 15 December, and sent to prison on 20 December.
Notably, on the night of 14 December, Arian Ahmed, a member of July Revolutionary Alliance, filed a case against Anis Alamgir and three others under anti-terrorism laws, alleging conspiracy to destabilise the state and incitement of a banned organisation.
