CPJ calls for immediate release of journalist Anis Alamgir
Detaining a journalist under a counterterrorism law months ahead of a landmark election raises serious questions about the interim government’s commitment to press freedom, it says
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for immediate release of journalist Anis Alamgir, who was detained and later shown arrested in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act earlier this week.
In a statement issued today (17 December) the New York–based press freedom organisation said Bangladeshi authorities must immediately drop terrorism charges against veteran journalist Anis Alamgir, release him unconditionally, and stop targeting the press with national security offenses.
"Using a counterterrorism law to detain a journalist months before a landmark election raises serious concerns about the interim government's commitment to press freedom, a pillar of democracy," said CPJ Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator Kunāl Majumder.
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It stated that Alamgir could face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a substantial fine if convicted under Bangladesh's Anti-Terrorism Act.
The CPJ said it has documented a sharp rise in attacks against journalists in Bangladesh, including at least 17 journalists assaulted in February 2025 alone. It has also reported multiple arrests and detentions under security-related laws.
Anis Alamgir was taken into custody by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) from Dhanmondi on 14 December and later taken to the DB office for interrogation.
He was arrested in an anti-terrorism case filed the following day at Uttara West Police Station by Ariyan Ahmed, who claims to be a central organiser of the July Revolutionary Alliance.
A Dhaka court on 15 December granted police a five-day remand to question Alamgir in connection with the case.
