(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to the caretaker government chief, Justice Latifur Rahman, RSF expressed its indignation after the murder of Ahsan Ali, correspondent for the newspaper “Dainik Jugantor” in Rupganj (south Dhaka). RSF called on the government chief to do everything in his power to assist the police in identifying the murderers. “The […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a letter addressed to the caretaker government chief, Justice Latifur Rahman, RSF expressed its indignation after the murder of Ahsan Ali, correspondent for the newspaper “Dainik Jugantor” in Rupganj (south Dhaka). RSF called on the government chief to do everything in his power to assist the police in identifying the murderers. “The fact that the journalist received death threats from political activists a few days before the murder is a serious lead for the investigation,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. “As the October elections draw near, your government must show political activists, and notably those of the Awami League [in power until 16 July 2001], that they cannot attack media professionals with impunity,” added Ménard.
According to information obtained by RSF, on 22 July policemen found the mutilated body of Ali, 48 years old, father of six children and correspondent for “Dainik Jugantor” (province of Narayanganj, south Dhaka). Ali’s hands and feet were tied, and his body bore signs of torture, notably stab wounds and acid burns on his face and chest. The police brought his body to the Narayanganj hospital for an autopsy. Near his body, investigators found a camera and a notebook in which it was written “They bring me to Kanchpur to kill me.” Ali was kidnapped on the night of 20 July. Police arrested two people, including Ali’s stepbrother, with whom he had a disagreement about the ownership of family land. Shahida Akhter, Ali’s wife, stated that he had received death threats from Meher Ali, a local leader of the Chattra Dal movement, the student front of the Awami League, five days before his death. According to Akhter, this is the most serious lead in the case.
In the last ten days, at least two journalists have been attacked by individuals identified as members of the Awami League or its student front.
On 10 July, Muniruzzaman Monir, correspondent for the daily “Prothom Alo” in Sonargaon (Dhaka area), was attacked in the street by activists of the Awami League’s student front. He was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. In 2000, the journalist was attacked by this group after having reported on a case of fraud during the country-wide school certificate exam.
On 16 July, Zahirul Islam, correspondent for “Prothom Alo” in Gournadi (near Barisal, south of the country), escaped a murder attempt by the Awami League. While his wife and his daughter were taken hostage, his attackers injected him with poison from a syringe. He was rushed unconscious to the Barisal hospital. A few hours later, Islam received a visit from Abu Hasnat Abdullah, an Awami League leader, who offered to pay the cost of his hospitalisation. Islam refused the offer, considering that the politician was trying to buy his silence. Islam asked that his attackers be arrested. On 18 July, police arrested two suspects.
