Journalist Anis Alamgir, actress Meher Afroz Shaon accused in anti-state conspiracy complaint

The complaint has been filed by a member of an organisation called the July Revolutionary Alliance

Journalist Anis Alamgir, actress Meher Afroz Shaon, and four others have been named in a complaint filed at Uttara West Police Station, accusing them of conspiring to destabilise the state and inciting a banned organisation.

The complaint was filed on Sunday night by Aryan Ahmed, who identified himself as a member of an organisation called the July Revolutionary Alliance. He lodged the allegations under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Shahriar Ali, deputy commissioner of the Uttara Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told bdnews24.com: “No case has been filed yet. We are verifying the complaint.”

Later that night, a team from the Detective Branch took journalist Anis Alamgir to the DB office for questioning after 8pm.

A policeman said the complaint was submitted at Uttara West Police Station against Anis Alamgir, Meher Afroz Shaon, Maria Kispotta (fashion model) and Imtu Ratish (presenter), among others.

“Our senior officials are working on the matter,” the officer said.

Uttara West police station chief Kazi Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed told bdnews24.com that the allegations relate mainly to online activities.

“The complaint accuses them of spreading several types of propaganda on social media and television talk shows in favour of the Awami League. The matter is cyber-related,” he said.

According to the complaint, following the political upheaval, supporters of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina have allegedly been involved in conspiracies aimed at destabilising the state.

It claims the accused have been directly and indirectly involved in these activities while remaining in the country.

The complainant further alleged that since Aug 5, the accused have campaigned on social media and appeared on television talk shows to revive a banned organisation and rehabilitate the Awami League.

“These statements and online activities are inciting activists of banned organisations, including Chhatra League and Jubo League, leading to anti-state conspiracies, violence and destruction of infrastructure,” the complaint said.