Journalist Shafik Rehman arrested for being fearless: BNP

The BNP has strongly protested and condemned the arrest of journalist Shafik Rehman, saying such police action is an example of the government’s attempt to suppress the opposition.

Senior Correspondentand Thakurgaon Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 April 2016, 07:20 AM
Updated : 16 April 2016, 01:45 PM

Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press briefing on Saturday also threatened intense protests if Rehman was not released.

Rehman, known to be close to the BNP, was picked up from his home at Dhaka’s Eskaton earlier in the morning.

Police later said that he was arrested in a ‘sedition’ case filed with Paltan police last year.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters at Thakurgaon that the government was trying to muzzle the people.

“The freedom of speech is already gone. Now they are also taking away the freedom to write,” he said.

Right after Rehman’s arrest, Rizvi called the media at the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters to offer his reaction.

He later went to meet Rehman's wife Taleya Rehman at her residence.

He told reporters, “Shafik Rehman always fearlessly writes against the government's violation of the law and its many failures. Sheikh Hasina has done this (arresting Rehman) because she could not cow down Rahman with her domineering tactics.”

“Because he is always on the side of truth, justice and democracy, now they (government) are staging a drama by arresting Shafik Rehman.”

Responding to a query regarding possible protests, Rizvi said they will go forward with that if Rehman is not released. “The decisions will be made after a discussion with the party’s senior leaders.”

The government arrested veteran journalist Rehman to hide its failures, the BNP leader claimed.

The current 'unelected' government has pushed the country towards a severe crisis, he said.

Calling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a ‘weak, heartless, arrogant and sophist’ person, Rizvi alleged that she has ordered to remove the wise persons who stand for the truth.

“And the indomitable and brave journalist Shafik Rehman is the latest victim.”

Over the past one and a half decades, Rehman has established a close relationship with the BNP and has been seen at many events addressed by BNP chief Khaleda Zia.