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A Dhaka court has granted police five days to question senior journalist Anis Alamgir in custody in an anti-terror case.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam issued the order on Monday following a hearing on the investigating officer’s request for a seven-day remand.
Prosecution Sub-Inspector Shamim Hossain confirmed the matter.
Earlier in the day, Shahriar Ali, deputy police commissioner of the Uttara Division, said Anis was shown arrested in the case.
“A case has been filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act,” said Kazi Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed, chief of Uttara West Police. “[Anis] has been shown arrested in the case. The investigation against the others is ongoing.”
Actress Meher Afroz Shaon, and four others have been named in a case filed with Uttara West Police, accusing them of conspiring to destabilise the state and inciting a banned organisation.
The other suspects in the case are fashion model Maria Kispotta and presenter Imtu Ratish.
The case was recorded based on a complaint submitted 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.
Officer Rafiq 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, 2024, the accused have campaigned on social media and appeared on television talk shows to revive and rehabilitate the banned Awami League.
“These statements and online activities are inciting activists of banned organisations, including [the Awami League’s student and youth wings] Chhatra League and Jubo League, leading to anti-state conspiracies, violence and destruction of infrastructure,” the complaint said.
A DB officer took journalist Anis to the law-enforcing agency’s office for questioning after 8pm on Sunday.
The complaint was filed at the police station around midnight. Nearly 13 hours after that, police say the complaint has been filed as a case.