Free Fakhrul, Shamsher Mobin: AI

Amnesty International has called for unconditional release of Ekushey TV Chairman Abdus Salam and two BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury.

In a statement, it also urged the government to ‘investigate impartially’ all incidents of arson attacks and killings during the BNP-sponsored blockade.

Citing reports in local newspapers, it said Salam ‘might also face legal action for giving too much coverage to BNP leader Tarique Rahman’.

Tarique, residing in London, is wanted in a number of cases, including criminal ones.

Salam was arrested for charges under the Pornography Act.

The London-based human rights body said Salam was detained ‘solely for the exercise of his right to freedom of expression’.

The rights body further observed that Mirza Fakhrul and Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury were detained ‘solely for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly’.

Fakhrul had been held in cases filed over vandalising and torching vehicles while Shamsher Mobin was detained in a case over the attack on ruling MP Chhabi Biswas.