Bangladesh working to free photographer Shahidul Alam from Israeli custody by Friday

Efforts are under way, with Turkey’s assistance, to secure the release of Bangladeshi photographer and activist Shahidul Alam, who was detained by Israeli forces from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla earlier this week, the Chief Advisor's Office (CAO) has revealed.

In a statement issued on Friday morning, the CAO said the Turkish authorities had expressed hope that Alam could be flown to Ankara later in the day.

Citing Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Ankara Amanul Haque, the CAO said the Turkish authorities had indicated that there was "a strong possibility" of bringing Alam to Ankara on Friday by a special flight. However, they could not providing any guarantees in this regard.

According to Drik, the photography organisation founded by Alam, Israeli forces “violently seized” eight ships of the Freedom Flotilla, including the vessel "Conscience", which Alam was aboard, in international waters about 120 nautical miles (220km) off the Gaza coast around 6:00am local time on Wednesday (8am Bangladesh time).

The CAO said Bangladeshi embassies in Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey had been instructed to contact the respective foreign ministries and take urgent steps to secure Alam’s release.

“The embassies have been maintaining constant communication with local authorities regarding Shahidul Alam’s release,” it said.

The flotilla, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla initiative, was carrying humanitarian aid and had attempted to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces reportedly seized more than 40 vessels and detained over 400 activists on board.