Police in Barishal have arrested Henry Swapan, an eminent poet, columnist and journalist in a case filed under the Digital Security Act.
He was arrested from his home in the city’s Goal Pukur Christian community area on Tuesday (May 14) and produced in court, which sent him to jail.
Barisal Police Commissioner Shahabuddin Khan said the priest of the local Catholic Church filed an allegation against Henry for hurting religious sentiments of the Christian and Muslim Community.
According to investigating officer Sub Inspector Al Mamun, the priest lodged a case under the Digital Security Act against three people, including Henry, and they are searching for other two.
The case was accepted and the suspect was arrested under ICT Act after the police found the facts and allegations brought against him true in a primary investigation, he added.
Before being arrested Henry Swapan, told journalists that he gave a status in social media condemning a cultural function on Easter Sunday in a local Catholic Church, after several people were killed in a terrorist attack on the same day in churches and hotels of Srilanka.
“Some people threatened me to leave Barisal immediately and when I tried to lodge a general diary with Kotwali police station, but police refused to do so.” said Henry.
Local journalist community including the Barisal Reporters Unity, Journalist Union and cultural activists under banner of the Barisal Sangskritik Sangothan Samonya Parishad, condemned the arrest, brought out protest procession and held a meeting demanding immediate release of Henery Swapan and withdrawal of the case.