(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed grave concern over a 4 January 2005 murder attempt against journalist Dip Azad. He escaped when a homemade bomb thrown at him failed to explode. Azad, a correspondent for the national daily “Jugantor” in Khulna (southwestern Bangladesh), was walking in the street in the evening when two assailants on a […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has expressed grave concern over a 4 January 2005 murder attempt against journalist Dip Azad. He escaped when a homemade bomb thrown at him failed to explode.
Azad, a correspondent for the national daily “Jugantor” in Khulna (southwestern Bangladesh), was walking in the street in the evening when two assailants on a motorcycle threw an explosive device at him. It struck him in the back but did not detonate. Police attempted to arrest the attackers but they managed to escape.
In 2004, three journalists were murdered in the region, which is plagued by illegal armed groups.
According to RSF, this latest incident demonstrates that armed groups and criminal gangs are still able to attack the press with complete impunity. Local authorities’ promises to improve the security situation have clearly been ineffective.
Azad said he had received death threats from the armed group Janajuddha. His name appeared on a death list issued by the group following the January 2004 murder of journalist Manik Saha (see IFEX alerts of 28 June, 27 and 15 January 2004).
The Khulna Press Club is planning a series of demonstrations to demand the arrest of those responsible for the attack on Azad.
