ETV Chairman Abdus Salam ‘confesses’ to sedition

Ekushey TV Chairman Abdus Salam in a statement before a magistrate has confessed to sedition charges brought against him, the public prosecutor says.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shahriar Mahmud Adnan recorded Salam’s statement at his chamber from 2pm to 5pm on Monday.

A case was filed on Jan 8 over the live telecast of a speech by BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman at a programme in London on Jan 5.

Salam was sent to prison after the recording of this statement following police remand.

Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu told bdnews24.com Salam had admitted to committing the offence and regretted his act.

After five days of interrogation, investigation officer, Detective Branch Inspector Md Wahiduzzaman, produced the ETV chairman in court.

Police had filed the case against Salam and Tarique with the Tejgaon Police Station.

BNP chief Khaleda Zia's son Tarique, in the UK since 2008, has been making controversial claims at programmes about Bangladesh’s history and its founding father.

The High Court on Jan 7 embargoed the reporting of his comments in the Bangladesh media.

Salam was arrested on Jan 6 in another case filed under the Pornography Control Act.