Photographer Shahidul Alam taken back into police custody after health tests

Photographer and activist Shahidul Alam has been taken back into the DB custody from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University or BSMMU after necessary health tests.

“Our medical board examined him. We did not find any reason to admit him,” Brigadier General Abdullah-Al-Harun, director of BSMMU, told bdnews24.com.

After his health check-up, he has been taken back into the DB custody around 2pm, he said.

“We will get the results of his health tests tomorrow."

Alam, 63, was taken to BSMMU on Wednesday morning following a High Court order.

On Tuesday, the High Court ordered a quick transfer of Alam to hospital for treatment from the DB custody. He was arrested on charges of “spreading lies” via Facebook.

The Drik Gallery founder was accused in the ICT case of attempting to spread ‘fear and panic’ over the internet with ‘fantastical and provocative lies’.

On Monday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court placed Alam in police custody for seven days of questioning.

Alam, who is also the founder of Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, is also involved in the human rights movement.

He streamed videos on Facebook Live discussing the clashes in the Jigatala area amid student protests for road safety on Saturday and Sunday.

He also criticised the government during an interview with Al Jazeera. On Sunday night, his family told the media that he had been taken by the DB police from his home in Dhanmondi.