Journalist Sohel released by police after overnight detention

Country's daily 'Dainik Vorer Kagoj' online head and IT journalist Mizanur Rahman Sohel has been released early Wednesday morning (November 19), nearly 10 hours after being taken from his home by individuals claiming to be from the Detective Branch (DB).

He was returned to his wife at home, confirmed Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Alam.

Authorities said Sohel was detained over using association leaders’ names without permission during an event. However, Sohel alleged he was picked up on the directive of a government adviser to stop a press conference of The Mobile Phone Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), where he serves as media adviser.

Sohel claimed that around midnight five DB-identified men forcibly took him from his New Badda residence, recorded him in their list, and held him at the office. He accused authorities of pressuring thousands of mobile phone businesses to favour nine traders.

The incident has sparked concern among journalists, with Center for Technology in Journalism (CTJ) officials condemning the overnight detention as a threat to press freedom.

Home Ministry adviser Lt. Gen. (retd.) Jahangir Alam Choudhury said he was unaware of the incident and would investigate further.