IFJ Condemns Alleged Torture of Journalist in Bangladesh

July 19, 2012

IFJ Condemns Arrest, Alleged Torture of Journalist in Bangladesh

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins partners in Bangladesh in strongly condemning the arrest and subsequent alleged custodial torture of Mostafizur Rahman Sumon, a crime reporter with the web-based news portal, justnewsbd.com.

Sources in Bangladesh have informed the IFJ that Sumon was arrested on July 13 in the vicinity of a computer store in the capital city of Dhaka. He was taken to an unknown location by the Detective Branch of the local police and held for two days, during which he was allegedly severely tortured.

The president and general secretary of the National Press Club, Kamal Uddin Sabuj and Syed Abdal Ahmad, have in a joint statement, denounced Sumon’s arrest and torture.

Sumon’s family believes that he is being victimized for his active involvement in the protests over the police failure to bring to justice the perpetrators of the twin murder of the journalist couple Meherun Runi and Sagar Sarowar in March.

Sources suggest that he is still being held in custody.

“The IFJ calls for Sumon’s immediate release and a comprehensive medical examination to establish the nature of any torture he may have suffered”, said the IFJ Asia-Pacific.

“Those responsible for his arrest and incarceration must be held accountable for any possible breach of Bangladesh’s international human rights obligations”.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific

ENDS

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