DB Detains and Questions Online Editor Mizanur Rahman Sohel for 10 Hours
Daily Bhorer Kagoj’s online chief, Mizanur Rahman Sohel, was taken to the Detective Branch (DB) office of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) late on Tuesday night (18 November). He was brought back home after 10 AM on Wednesday.
Around 10:30 AM, Mizanur told the media over the phone, “I returned home after almost 10 hours. DB brought me back home. I am well.”
Additional Commissioner of DMP’s DB, Shafiqul Islam, said, “Mizanur was brought in at night to talk about an issue. Later that night, he was dropped off at his home.” However, he did not specify what issue was discussed.
When asked, Mizanur told the media that, in the context of the implementation of the National Equipment Identification Registrar (NEIR), the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh has organized a press conference on 16 December regarding the concerns and necessary steps of mobile handset traders. He is associated with this event. DB officers spoke to him about this press conference after taking him to their office. He felt, from what the officers said, that under instructions from higher authorities, they did not want this press conference to take place. He said he was subjected to a form of psychological pressure for that purpose.
Mizanur is the General Secretary of Online Editors Alliance, the association of online news portals, newspapers, and online/digital departments of TV channels. He was taken from his Badda residence around midnight. At that time, his family alleged that some individuals identifying themselves as DB officers detained and took him away.
News reports on the matter were published in the media. It also sparked discussions and criticism on social media.
