Two bloggers get bail

A Dhaka court on Sunday granted bail to two bloggers - Subrata Adhikari Shuvo and Rasel Pervez - who were arrested over an ICT case for allegedly defaming Islam.

Dhaka Senior Special Judge Mohammad Zahurul Haque granted bail to Shuvo and Rasel after taking into cognisance the charges against the three bloggers arrested.

The court’s Additional Public Prosecutor Tapash Paul told bdnews24.com that the other blogger – Mashiur Rahman Biplab – had submitted no bail petition. “That is why the court granted bail to the two.”

These bloggers were accused of ‘inciting religious passions' through their postings on the Internet.

These bloggers were arrested from Dhaka on Apr 1 following persistent demands by Hifazat-e Islam to punish ‘atheists’.

Shuvo, Biplab and Pervez were sent on remand under article 54 as suspects.

On Apr 3 morning, another blogger Asif Mahiuddin was taken to the detective police’s office and similarly sent on remand.

On Apr 17, police filed two cases against them under ICT regulations. Hearing was to take place on May 12.

“The court took into cognisance the cases against Shuvo, Rasel and Pervez. Hearing of Asif Mahiuddin’s case did not took place; no bail pleas came from his side,” Tapash Paul said.

Sonia Parvin, Rasel’s sister and one of his lawyers, confirmed to bdnews24.com that there was no bail plea from Asif and Biplab. “His (Biplab) lawyer was not present in court.”

Barrister Jyotirmoi Barua represented Rasel and Shuvo in court.

Dhaka University teachers and students, Ganajagaran Mancha and online activists have been demanding the release of the bloggers, alleging that the government had ‘bowed’ before the extremists by making these arrests.

Bloggers and Online Activists started the movement on Feb 5 which later became popular as Ganajagaran Mancha with the participation of several students and cultural organisations.

Chittagong-based Hifazat-e-Islam rose against Ganajagaran Mancha calling the Mancha supporters ‘atheists’.

Among the four bloggers, Shuvo is a Bangla Department student of Dhaka University. Biplab and Rasel are former students of the prestigious institution.

On the other hand, blogger Asif Mahiuddin was recently attacked. It is believed that the attack was motivated following his write-ups on blogs. He spent some time in Dhaka Medical College and Hospital with critical stab injuries.