Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded the release of journalist Md Hedait Hossain Molla, arrested under the ICT Act for an election time report.

The police arrested Molla on Jan 1 on the complaint that he had written a report on election result, which was not correct and based on facts. He was arrested in a case lodged by Khulna Assistant Returning Officer Debashish Chowdhury.

On Wednesday (Jan 2), judge of judicial magistrate court-3, Nayan Biswas, granted a three day remand for him. For the same complaint, a case has been lodged against Daily Manab Zamin’s Khulna correspondent, Rashidul Islam. Police are looking for him.

CPJ’s Asian Coordinator Stephen Butler said, “Arresting a journalist for reporting on polls time aberrations represents a depressing picture of Sheikh Hasina and her elected AL.”

The government must uphold democratic values and refrain from abusing the digital security act, he observed.

Several prominent news agencies, like AFP, Reuters, DW, Times of India have criticised the digital security act.

Secretary General of Bangladesh Federal Journalists’ Union Shaban Mahmud said, “Our fears about the misuse of digital security act have become a reality.”

Calling the arrest unacceptable, he added, “This is an impediment to professional journalism and we demand immediate release of the person.”

Former executive director of Ain o Salish Kendra Nur Khan told DW, “Arrest of journalists is a violation of human rights and jeopardises free journalism.”