New York, November 12, 2003—Selim Jahangir, a photojournalist for
the national Bengali-language daily Janakantha, was released
from the Rajshahi Central Jail in northwestern Bangladesh on November
10 after being held 10 days and denied bail.
According to local journalists, Jahangir is still charged with obstructing
an official from his duty and threatening an official's life.
Jahangir was arrested on November 1 while taking photos at a police
checkpoint in the Shehab Bazaar in Rajshahi. Magistrate Abdul Majid
ordered his arrest after Jahangir refused to stop photographing the
checkpoint. Local journalists were outraged by Jahangir's arrest and
are demanding that action be taken against Majid.
For more information, see the
November 7 protest letter.
