PEN Bangladesh Condemns Unlawful Arrest of Journalist Anis Alamgir
PEN Bangladesh has strongly condemned the arrest and continued detention of senior journalist Anis Alamgir, describing the incident as a grave violation of press freedom, due process, and the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the organization demanded the immediate release of Anis Alamgir, the withdrawal of all baseless cases against journalists, and an end to the misuse of security agencies and repressive laws to silence the media.
According to reports, Anis Alamgir was summoned to the Detective Branch (DB) office on Sunday, where he was detained without being informed of any specific charges. He was later shown as arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act and subsequently placed on remand. PEN Bangladesh stated that detaining a journalist without charge and later invoking security legislation to justify the detention is unacceptable and directly contradicts the principles of justice and the rule of law.
The organization expressed deep concern that this incident reflects a broader pattern of intimidation and legal harassment of journalists through vague, disproportionate, and punitive laws. It noted that the use of anti-terrorism provisions against members of the press for their professional work fosters a climate of fear and severely undermines critical inquiry and public debate.
PEN Bangladesh further emphasized that Anis Alamgir is a highly respected journalist with decades of experience in both print and electronic media and is well known for his active participation in televised discussions on national issues. The organization stressed that critical commentary, analysis, and engagement in public discourse are core elements of journalism and are protected under both national law and international standards on freedom of expression.
