My job is to question and I will continue to do so: Anis Alamgir

A Dhaka court has placed senior journalist Anis Alamgir on a five-day remand in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The order was passed around 6:00 pm on Monday, December 15, by Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam.

During the remand hearing, Anis Alamgir told the court that a particular group wanted to turn him into their servant, but he would not comply. He said questioning power was his duty as a journalist and that he would continue to do so.

Earlier, police had sought a seven-day remand. The application was submitted by Muniruzzaman, inspector of Uttara West Police Station and the investigating officer in the case.

Anis Alamgir was brought to court around 5:00 pm in a white Metropolitan Police vehicle and kept in custody before being produced in the dock. He was escorted under tight security, wearing a bulletproof vest, handcuffs and a helmet. When the helmet was removed, he spoke briefly with his lawyers and broke down in tears, before being urged to remain calm.

Public prosecutor Omar Faruk Faruqi told the court that under the guise of journalism, the accused was allegedly involved with conspiratorial forces and engaging in provocative statements aimed at destabilising the country.

Defence lawyer Naznin Sultana argued that Anis Alamgir is a renowned journalist with international recognition who has covered major conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq war. She said freedom of expression was the core issue behind recent mass movements and opposed the remand application.

With the court’s permission, Anis Alamgir addressed the court, saying he had questioned power during both Khaleda Zia’s and Sheikh Hasina’s tenures and would continue to do so. He described the case as false and politically motivated.

After hearing both sides, the court granted a five-day remand.