Bergman criticises arrest of Latif Siddique, 15 others

British journalist David Bergman has strongly criticised the recent arrests of former minister and ex-Awami League leader Latif Siddique, along with 15 others, under Bangladesh’s Anti-Terrorism Act. In a detailed Facebook post, Bergman condemned the move, claiming it does not serve the interests of the nation or the current government.

The arrests took place on Thursday (August 28) during a meeting organized by the civic platform Moch 71. Authorities accused the detainees of conspiring to destabilize the country through armed struggle in an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

Referring to the incident, Bergman argued that, while some statements made at the gathering may have appeared provocative or dissenting to certain quarters, they did not constitute any criminal offense.

He further warned that the current political establishment appears to be following the same repressive tactics once used by the previous ruling party to suppress dissent. “There is a growing tendency within Bangladesh’s political power to silence opposing voices,” he said.

Bergman also expressed concern over what he described as a rising “mob culture” in the country, where organized groups act with impunity. He warned that the government’s response to the meeting will only legitimize and embolden such behavior.

“Those who disrupted the gathering will now feel even more empowered and are likely to repeat similar actions in the future,” Bergman stated.

He cautioned that such incidents are reinforcing allegations that the current administration is adopting an increasingly anti-Liberation War stance — a narrative that may damage its legitimacy both domestically and internationally.