State of journalists accused in murder cases

Following the rise of an interim government through a mass uprising, multiple murder cases have been filed against numerous journalists. Reports indicate that, so far, 106 journalists across the country have been implicated in murder cases. Among these, 25 professional journalists were accused in a Fazlu murder case filed at the capital’s Bhashantek Police Station on September 11. In addition, seven journalists were accused in the student Naeem Howlader murder case filed at Jatrabari Police Station on August 23. Several journalists face multiple murder charges, despite many of them claiming to have no knowledge of the incidents.

Journalists accused in these cases have expressed that they are going through extreme mental distress and discomfort due to their implication. Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo, president of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and one of the accused in the Bhashantek case, told Views Bangladesh, “On August 5, I was at home the entire day. I’ve never even been to Bhashantek. I have no idea under whose influence we professional journalists were made defendants in this case. This is very unfortunate. Since learning of my involvement in the murder case, I’ve been in deep mental unrest and discomfort. My family is also anxious and distressed. I haven’t committed any crime, yet I find myself accused in this case. I appeal to the current government to release journalists from these false allegations and cases.”

Dhaka Journalists Union President Sohel Haider Chowdhury, who is also an accused, said to Views Bangladesh, “I have four murder cases against me, yet I know nothing about them. I learned much later who was killed and who the plaintiff was. I am living under extreme stress in this situation, constantly feeling tense.” He added, “The movement was for eradicating inequality, but murder cases have been filed against many journalists, causing inequality. I urge the current interim government to free the journalists from these false and harassing accusations.”

Shahnaz Sharmin, a senior reporter at a private television station and former joint secretary of the DRU, also an accused in the case, said, “On the day of the incident, I was reporting live in front of the RAOWA Club in Mohakhali in the morning and in front of Bangabhaban after noon. I was at Bangabhaban until 11 p.m. So, how could I be involved in the Fazlu murder case? We spoke with Md. Sabuj, the plaintiff and the victim’s brother, who said he doesn’t know any of the journalists named in the case. What does that imply then? The only ones who recognize us are members of the journalist community. Those of us contesting for the positions of president or general secretary in the upcoming DRU elections and those who support independence have been selectively accused in this case. If my colleagues, with whom I’ve worked for two decades, are behind this, it will be very painful for me. I have never harmed anyone, only helped. I feel more sorrow than discomfort in this situation.”

Abdullah Kafi, former organizing secretary of the DRU and another accused, stated, “I was at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the morning and at the office in the evening on the day of the incident, so I know nothing about what happened. However, this case has caused me mental unrest. I cannot focus on my journalism, which is very painful.” He further added, “Potential candidates for president and general secretary in the upcoming DRU election have been singled out as defendants. Does the plaintiff know us? How would he? We weren’t involved in the incident.”

The journalists accused in the Bhashantek murder case include Naeem Nizam, Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Shyamal Dutta, Farida Yasmin, Omar Faruq, Manjurul Islam, Manjurul Bari Nayon, Sohel Haider Chowdhury, Kuddus Afrad, Arun Kumar Dey, Md. Nurul Haque, Jihadur Rahman Jihad, Abdul Majid, Sajjad Alam Khan Tapu, Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo, Haider Ali, Ashiqur Rahman Shravan, Alamgir Hossain, Shariful Islam, Mainul Alam, Zayedul Ahsan Pintu, Abdullah Al Kafi, Kabir Ahmed Khan, Nurul Islam Hasib, and Shahnaz Sharmin. In the Jatrabari murder case of Naeem Howlader, the accused include Ekattor TV's managing director Mozammel Babu, former news chief of Ekattor TV Syed Ishtiaq Reza, CEO of Somoy TV Ahmed Zubayer, former news chief of ATN News Munni Saha, Ekattor TV's principal correspondent Farzana Rupa, dismissed head of news at Ekattor TV Shakil Ahmed, and former press secretary to the prime minister Naimul Islam Khan.

Regarding this, legal advisor Asif Nazrul said, “Cases have been filed against journalists. Why or for what reasons they were implicated in murder cases is something only those who filed the cases can explain. If the charges against the journalists are not proven, they will be acquitted.” When asked about whether journalists will face trial in the International Crimes Tribunal, he clarified, “I didn’t say journalists would be tried in the International Crimes Tribunal. If they aren’t guilty, they won’t be tried in any special tribunal.”

Mohammad Tazul Islam, chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, stated, “No journalist is among those against whom arrest warrants have been issued from the tribunal. If the allegations against journalists are not proven, their names will be dropped from the cases.”