CPJ urges govt to release 4 detained journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman to drop charges against four detained senior journalists and release them.

In a letter issued today (27 April), the CPJ urged the authorities to free Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, Mozammel Haq Babu and Shyamal Dutta.

"All four journalists have been held for more than 18 months, accused of murder, which, based on our documentation, testimony from their families, and review by international counsel, no credible evidence has been presented, and no charge sheet has been served," the letter said.

"The pattern of these cases appears closely tied to the journalists' reporting and perceived political affiliations, the very kind of practice the government has publicly signalled an intention to move beyond," it added.

The CPJ also raised humanitarian concerns over the journalists' treatment in custody.

According to the letter, Shyamal has documented cardiac and severe sleep apnoea conditions that remain unassessed; Mozammel underwent major surgery for prostate cancer in late 2023 but has not received follow-up care; and Farzana was held for two weeks in November 2024 in a "condemnation cell" reserved for death-row inmates.

Referring to the government's manifesto commitments to withdraw politically motivated cases against journalists, the CPJ said those pledges have given many observers reason for optimism, adding that it is in that spirit that it is respectfully drawing the matter to the minister's attention.